For the first time, the annual funding bill for Colorado water projects includes money to acquire in-stream water rights for environmental protection and to explore alternatives to wild and scenic rivers designations by the federal government. House Bill 1346 is the so-called “projects bill” that contains the recommendations to the General Assembly from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. It cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday with the unanimous endorsement of House Committee Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources. “A lot of things didn’t make the cut,” said Jennifer Gimbel, the CWCB’s new executive director who outlined about $11 million worth of expenditures from severance tax revenue. “There is an incredible public process that hones down the list for this bill.” 

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