1. (1)

   1. (a) The board shall develop minimum criteria and guidelines for the establishment of an agricultural water protection program in each water division pursuant to section 37-92-305 (19)(b)(IV)(B) to assure sufficient protection and monitoring of agricultural water protection water rights pursuant to section 37-92-305 (19)(b)(III).
   2. (b) The board may promulgate separate minimum criteria and guidelines for each water division.

   3. (c)

      1. (I) Until finalization of the criteria and guidelines, the board shall post and periodically update draft criteria and guidelines on its website.
      2. (II) The board shall consider any comments it receives on the draft criteria and guidelines, and, upon the request of an eligible entity, as defined in section 37-92-305 (19)(c), the board shall hold a meeting with the eligible entity to receive the eligible entity's comments.
      3. (III) The board shall hold at least one public meeting in each water division to present the draft criteria and guidelines and receive comments on them.
2. (2) The board shall finalize the criteria and guidelines within one year after initiating the process to develop criteria and guidelines.
3. (3) As used in this section, agricultural water protection water right has the same meaning as in section 37-92-305 (19)(a).

Source: L. 2016: Entire section added, (HB 16-1228), ch. 175, p. 598, § 1, effective August 10. L. 2024: (1)(a) amended, (SB 24-197), ch. 276, p. 1835, § 3, effective August 7.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 24-197, see section 1 of chapter 276, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.