Ballot Title Setting Board
2011-2012

The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

An amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning public control of water, and, in connection therewith, allowing appropriated water rights to be limited or curtailed by prohibiting any use of water that would irreparably harm the public ownership interest in water; expanding the right to appropriate water for beneficial use to all water within Colorado, including nontributary groundwater and not limited to unappropriated water, subject to the public ownership interest; requiring water users to return water unimpaired after use to the public so as to protect the natural environment and the use and enjoyment of water by the public; requiring state government to act as steward of and to protect, enforce, and implement the public ownership interest; and allowing any Colorado citizen to sue to enforce the amendment.

The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning public control of water, and, in connection therewith, allowing appropriated water rights to be limited or curtailed by prohibiting any use of water that would irreparably harm the public ownership interest in water; expanding the right to appropriate water for beneficial use to all water within Colorado, including nontributary groundwater and not limited to unappropriated water, subject to the public ownership interest; requiring water users to return water unimpaired after use to the public so as to protect the natural environment and the use and enjoyment of water by the public; requiring state government to act as steward of and to protect, enforce, and implement the public ownership interest; and allowing any Colorado citizen to sue to enforce the amendment?

Hearing December 21, 2011

Withdrawn by proponents.
Hearing adjourned 3:10 PM

Hearing January 4, 2012

Single subject approved; staff draft amended; titles set.
Hearing adjourned 5:02 PM

Hearing January 18, 2012

Motion for Rehearing denied.
Hearing adjourned 2:20 PM

* Unofficially captioned “Limits on Water Diversion” by legislative staff for tracking purposes. This caption is not part of the titles set by the Board.