The Groundwater Compact Compliance and Sustainability Fund has Officially Opened Groundwater well withdrawals in certain areas of the State of Colorado provide the principal source of irrigation water supply but consequently may reduce the quantity of groundwater in the aquifers and may impact the hydrogeology of connected surface streams, resulting in reduced stream flows that threaten senior water rights and the State’s compliance with interstate compacts. Despite the diligent efforts of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, the Trinchera Water Conservancy District and the State to implement strategies to reduce groundwater use, including the creation of groundwater management subdistricts in the Rio Grande Basin, and the use of various federal, state and local funding sources to incentivize the purchase and retirement of irrigated acreage, extensive groundwater use in the Rio Grande Basin continues to threaten aquifer sustainability, senior water rights and compact compliance.
To accelerate the progress in retiring irrigated acreage in the Rio Grande Basin in order to meet state-mandated deadlines, a state fund was created to provide financial incentives and assistance for the buying and retiring of irrigation wells and irrigated acreage in the Basin. During the 2022 Legislative session, Governor Polis signed into law Senate Bill 22-028 which created and funded The Groundwater Compact Compliance and Sustainability Fund. Use of this money will help to promote conservation and sustainability of groundwater resources in furtherance of the State Water Plan. From this Fund, $30 million was allocated to the Rio Grande Basin to assist in the Basin’s efforts to permanently reduce groundwater withdrawals. The Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District will accept applications to provide financial incentives for the purchase of groundwater right decrees and/or permits from well owners across the Basin. Successful applicants will be able to show a verifiable reduction in groundwater withdrawals from irrigation wells located within response areas which are subject to aquifer sustainability requirements as outlined in the State’s Rules and Regulations for Groundwater Withdrawals in Colorado Water Division No. 3.
Complete details on the Rio Grande Water Conservation District’s program to fund the purchase of groundwater rights and/or permits can be found on the District’s website at rgwcd.org. Applications for the program can also be found on the District’s website, by visiting the District’s office or by phone request by calling the District’s office at (719) 589-6301. Applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. on June 29, 2023, and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 29, 2023. All complete applications should be sent by email to wylie@rgwcd.org or in-person to the District’s office located at 8805 Independence Way, Alamosa, CO 81101.

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