Chapter 22 - § 22.1 • ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMISSION

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

§ 22.1 • ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMISSION

The Colorado Ground Water Commission issues large capacity designated ground water well permits in accordance with C.R.S. §§ 37-90-107, -108, and -111, and rules adopted by the commission. The commission consists of 12 members: nine are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, with the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources a voting member and the director of the Water Conservation Board and the state engineer participating as non-voting members of the commission.¹

The commission, along with the 13 ground water management districts, effectuates the administration and management of water resources located in the designated basins of the state. There are currently eight designated basins that are generally located in the eastern plains of Colorado.

§ 22.1.1—Terms Of Office, Conditions Of Appointment, And Minimum Number Of Meetings

The Ground Water Management Act of 1965² established the terms of office and voting rights for the 12 members of the commission. Nine of the 12 members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Non-voting members include the state engineer and the director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The director of the Department of Natural Resources is a full voting member of the commission, while the state engineer acts as the ex-officio executive director of the commission.³ Six members must be resident agriculturists of a designated basin, with no more than two of those members coming from the same basin at any one time. One member must be a resident agriculturist from Water Division 3 (the San Luis Valley), and two of the members must be Colorado residents who represent municipal or industrial water users. One of those two members must be from the Western Slope of Colorado. The members all serve four-year terms of office.⁴

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-90-104(4), the commission must have a minimum of four meetings per year. Six voting members present at a commission meeting is defined as a quorum, with the majority vote of those present ruling. The chair or any two voting members of the commission may call special meetings.

Appointed members of the commission select the chair and vice-chair on a biennial basis.⁵

§ 22.1.2—Responsibilities Of The State Engineer As The Executive Director Of The Commission

The state engineer acts as the executive director of the commission. As the executive director, or under his or her own capacity as state...