Larry Suckla, REPUBLICAN
CO House of Representatives - District 58 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
As the HD 58 representative, I would advocate that management of Lake Powell be returned to the upper basin.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
AS the HD 58 representative, I would advocate that the Western Slope keep every acre foot of water we are entitled to.
Kathleen Curry, DEMOCRAT
CO House of Representatives - District 58 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
There are a number of policy issues that need to be addressed but one of importance to the West Slope is the language currently in statute related to water supply adequacy for new subdivision approval. In 2008 I sponsored a bill (HB08-1141) that required new subdivisions of a size greater that 50 or more single family units to demonstrate that an adequate water supply was available - prior to approval by local governments. While this sounds like a common sense approach, it was a very contentious bill and on the final vote in the House there were 18 no votes and 46 yes votes. The Colorado River District and Water Congress worked tirelessly with me to get this new policy adopted. The reason this requirement is important to our part of the state is that unmanaged growth on the Front Range is driving more demand for water from the Western Slope. Unfortunately in 2013 the law was weakened with an amendment that made the requirement apply only to applications for phases of the development- not the entire buildout. I would like to revisit and strengthen the law regarding sufficiency of water supply for new growth. There is a critical need in Colorado to better integrate land use and water supply planning and I would like to improve current water policy in that regard.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
The negotiation of operating procedures for the two major reservoirs on the Colorado River are currently being spearheaded by the Executive Branch through the Colorado River Commissioner as well as the Colorado Attorney General’s office. I support the position that both entities are taking which is fundamentally based on the fact that Colorado has not violated the Colorado River Compact and is not the reason for the low water levels in both Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The overdraw is a result of overuse in the lower basin states and Colorado has not developed its full entitlement. I would advocate for adequate funding for both entities to continue to seek protection for the state’s interests both administratively and legally, and I would mandate that the Executive Branch keep the Legislative Branch fully informed and up to date on the status of the negotiations. In addition, if the negotiations are not successful from our perspective – and Colorado is required to bypass water to Lake Powell – I would advocate for a program that ensures the West Slope doesn’t bear the full burden and that the Front Range water users contribute their share of water. Approximately 500,000 acre feet of water is transferred from the West Slope to the Front Range annually under water rights that are junior to the Colorado River Compact. If there is ever a situation where the state needs to provide water downstream I don’t want it to come solely from the agricultural users on the West Slope.
Caleb Waller, REPUBLICAN
CO House of Representatives - District 57 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
I oppose the practice of 'buy and dry' water rights because it undermines our agricultural communities, threatens local economies, and depletes essential resources. Water is a lifeline for farming, ranching, and rural livelihoods. We must protect these rights to ensure long-term sustainability and responsible resource management for future generations.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
Protecting private property rights is essential to maintaining individual liberty and economic stability, especially in the context of water rights. The public interest doctrine should never be used to undermine these rights, as doing so can lead to uncertainty for landowners and businesses that depend on reliable water access. While public interests such as environmental protection and sustainability are important, they must be balanced against the need to respect established water rights. Ensuring this balance fosters a fair system where public needs are addressed without infringing on the essential rights of property holders.
Elizabeth Velasco, DEMOCRAT
CO House of Representatives - District 57 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
In my first term as the House District 57 State Representative I have had the opportunity to bring and support multiple pieces of legislation to protect our access to clean water and our waterways and streams. I served in the Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources committee where we passed funding to buy the Shoshone water rights to ensure our access to clean water for the future, we passed protections for wetlands, and water saving provisions for households and public spaces. We also added more municipalities to be eligible to apply for funding for water infrastructure projects. I sponsored a bill to start addressing the issues of water quality in mobile home parks. I also sponsored a bill that created the office of Environmental Justice in the state to make sure that we are holding polluters accountable and protecting our community. I will continue to support protecting water in the west and Colorado, as well as advocating for everyone in our state to have access to clean water.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
I will continue to advocate for Colorado to have a strong position when it comes to renegotiating our water compacts, to continue to support our water plan and our water Commissioner. To make sure that all the voices are at the table, and we continue to lead the way in protecting our waterways.
Meghan Lukens, DEMOCRAT
CO House of Representatives - District 26 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
We must enact a comprehensive, multi-faceted water conservation and resilience plan to protect our Colorado water resources. This approach would prioritize multi-benefit water management projects that address our state's complex water challenges while supporting our communities and ecosystems. The Maybell Diversion Project, spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy, exemplifies this approach by improving irrigation efficiency, enhancing river habitat, and supporting agricultural productivity. I believe we must also establish sustainable financing mechanisms for water projects, which is especially crucial as we navigate the energy transition and the subsequent decline in severance tax revenue. This is why I proudly supported HB24-1436, a bipartisan bill that sent Proposition JJ to the voters. If voters approve Proposition JJ, the State would retain sports betting tax revenue for water projects. Proposition JJ helps these projects get the critical funding they need. If re-elected, I would also advocate for the recognition of our water systems as natural systems. We must continue to protect and restore these systems in ways that provide clean, reliable water while maintaining ecological integrity. Building on our recent successes with stream restoration and dredge-and-fill policies, I would push to further integrate environmental considerations into our water management strategies. With this comprehensive approach, we will continue towards a resilient and sustainable water future for Colorado, balancing the needs of our communities, agriculture, and environment.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
If re-elected, I will continue to ensure that the Colorado River negotiations will result in outcomes that preserve the overall sustainability of our rivers while also protecting Colorado's interests. Our approach to these negotiations must acknowledge the reality of climate variability and anticipate a drier and more unpredictable hydrologic future. Upper Basin water users have already faced significant cuts due to changing climate conditions.
We must establish equality between Upper and Lower Basin Water users. The 1922 Colorado River Compact established equal apportionments for both basins in perpetuity, and this promise must be upheld. I will staunchly fight against any attempts to strip Upper Basin users of their water access in compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact.
Critically, we must address the issue of overuse in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River. The future of the Colorado River is threatened by excessive water use combined with changing environmental conditions. When we estimate the water available for use, we must take into account depletion from evaporation and transit. I aim to contribute to securing a sustainable future for the Colorado River that balances the needs of all users while adapting to our increasingly variable realities.
Nathan Butler, REPUBLICAN
CO House of Representatives - District 26 Candidate
If you could enact one water policy change in Colorado, what would it be? (250 word limit)
If I could enact one water policy change in Colorado, I would prioritize securing and protecting water rights for Western Colorado’s agricultural and ranching communities. Specifically, I would advocate for a statewide agricultural water protection fund that incentivizes farmers and ranchers to modernize their irrigation infrastructure, increase water efficiency, and invest in drought-resistant technologies. This fund would be coupled with a water-rights preservation program that prevents cities on the Front Range from purchasing critical water resources meant for agricultural use on the Western Slope. By doing so, we could ensure that rural communities have the water they need to sustain their livelihoods while also enhancing water conservation across the state. Urban development must not come at the expense of Colorado’s farming and ranching heritage. Any water-sharing agreements with municipalities would need to be strictly limited and reviewed regularly to ensure they don't undermine the needs of rural areas. This policy would allow us to balance Colorado’s growing population demands while maintaining the agricultural backbone of our economy.
What outcomes of Colorado River negotiations would you advocate for during your term? (250 word limit)
During my term, I would like to advocate for outcomes that prioritize Colorado’s water rights under the 1922 Colorado River Compact and ensure that Western Colorado’s agricultural and ranching interests are protected. First, I would push for a guaranteed minimum water allocation for Western Slope farmers and ranchers, even in times of drought. Second, I would fight for a state-first policy where Colorado’s water needs are met before any cross-basin or interstate transfers are considered. Lastly, I would work to secure funding for water conservation and infrastructure improvements in rural areas through federal and state partnerships, ensuring that the Western Slope has access to the resources it needs to store and manage water more efficiently. Water storage solutions, such as additional reservoirs, must be part of the negotiation outcomes, so we can ensure stability for farmers and ranchers, particularly during dry years.