Within the next two weeks, a bill to tighten water quality controls around uranium mining could pass its second committee and head to the full Colorado House of Representatives. “I anticipate we’ll get good bipartisan support,” said Rep. Randy Fischer, one of the Larimer County lawmakers who proposed House Bill 1161. One indicator, he said, is that an amended version of the bill passed the Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee this week by an 11-2 vote. That sent it to the Appropriations Committee. If it passes there — and Fischer anticipates it will because the proposal would not require money from the general fund — it would go to the entire House.Fischer and Rep. John Kefalas, both Fort Collins Democrats, proposed the bill to ensure water safety related to in-situ leach mining, which is being proposed in neighboring Weld County. Residents there, and in Larimer County, worry that the mining process will contaminate water, endanger health and destroy property values.

To view the full article, visit the Reporter Herald. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.