DENVER – Today, Governor Bill Ritter signed an important water bill authored by State Representative Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison). House Bill 1303 establishes a significant overhaul of Colorado’s well water permitting program. The legislation maintains a cooperative balance between water users and oil/gas producers by creating a process that allows for the simultaneous protections of water rights and the rights of mineral owners to develop their interests.
“Both land-owners and coal-bed methane gas producers deserve an update to our well-water guidelines," said Rep. Curry. “The bill strikes an important balance, streamlining Colorado's regulatory requirements for oil and gas operators while protecting our existing water users."
HB 1303 establishes guidelines regarding whether ground water from oil and gas drilling can be removed and if so if it will need to be replaced by another source. In doing so, it affects the number of well permits. Operators whose wells remove tributary ground water – ground water that feeds Colorado’s surface streams – would be required to apply to the appropriate water court for an augmentation plan. If water produced by drilling can be shown to originate from a source that is non-tributory – that does not feed Colorado’s surface waters – they would not be required to apply for a water well permit or any further administration by the state. The bill creates a plan for well water permitting and usage through 2015.
- Quote of the Session"We promised to expand the circle of opportunity, and we have done that by saving and creating good jobs, providing support for struggling families, building a world-class education system, and expanding the new energy economy. We know times are tough but so are Coloradans. As we look back, our work is not done, but we have done more with less and are making clear progress. "
- Speaker Terrance Carroll
- Legislator of the Month
Representative Joe Rice (HD-38)
Kathleen Curry
June 02, 2009
April 07, 2009
Rep. Curry Weaves Three Wildlife & Water Bills Through the House
(DENVER) – The Colorado House of Representatives unanimously supported three of State Representative Kathleen Curry’s (D-Gunnison) proposals today. House Bills 1289, 1303 and 1308 protect Colorado’s drinking water and wildlife.
House Bill 1289 protects the habitats of endangered species in Colorado by supporting eight specific species conservation programs, including the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program. These programs are designed to protect native species listed as threatened or endangered or are likely to become endangered species.
“I want Colorado to always be a favorite place for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, bird watchers, anglers, and hikers. This legislation increases protection for species of concern. Once these species are added to the endangered species list, it would severely limit agricultural activity in the state. This bill strikes a balance, and I am very pleased that it has passed,” said Rep. Curry.
House Bill 1303 is a significant overhaul of Colorado’s well water permitting program. HB 1303 maintains a cooperative balance between all water users by providing guidance to the State on the administration of water wells that drain ground water in conjunction with oil and gas development.
This bill establishes guidelines regarding the removal of ground water from oil and gas drilling. In doing so, it affects the number of well permits. Wells that remove tributary ground water would be required to apply to the appropriate water court for an augmentation plan. The bill creates a plan for well water permitting and usage through 2015.
“The bill creates a win-win solution which protects existing water users and allows oil and gas operators to come into compliance with state regulatory requirements,” said Rep. Curry. “I was pleased to bring this bill at the request of the coal bed methane gas producers in order to streamline the regulatory process.”
House Bill 1308 protects water rights when the state faces funding limitations by listing Water Resources as a first priority in the state’s budget.
“I’m committed to protecting our state’s water users,” said Rep. Curry. “This bill creates a new funding mechanism to keep our state water resources division adequately funded. Without this funding, the state can’t ensure that water rights are protected.”
Rep. Curry serves as the Chair of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee.
-- Posted by Staff
March 13, 2009
Leaders Praise Passage of Rules Protecting Public Health and Colorado’s Economy
(DENVER) – This morning, the House of Representatives gave final, bi-partisan approval to the newly-revised rules regarding the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado. House Bill 1292 will now return to the joint Legislative Legal Services Committee and then go to the Senate.
Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll said, “The new rules are good for public health and good for the economy. They will provide greater public health protections while also allowing the state’s vital oil-and-gas industry to thrive. They strike a healthy balance that will protect public health while encouraging responsible industry growth. Most importantly, they provide a solid foundation for when the industry rebounds. We want sustainable growth, and these rules create that.”
Author of the original rules-making bill, Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) said, “Over the past decade, we have seen an 800 percent increase in the number of new drilling permits issued annually, but not until now have we addressed drilling’s damage to our drinking water, to our open spaces and wildlife, and to our public health.”
“The new protections are reasonable and responsible,” said Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver), sponsor of the omnibus rules bill HB 1292. “The new rules ensure timely permitting. They protect drinking water and reduce odors and air emissions. They require the disclosure of chemicals used so the public can know what’s going on in their own backyards. And the new protections give land-owners more control.”
Addressing concerns about the economy and jobs, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) said, “What’s good for our quality of life is good for business in Colorado. Businesses rely on the protection of Colorado’s natural beauty that draws new people and new businesses here, especially in hospitality and tourism, for anglers and hunters, and for all of us who know we live in the best state in the country. Unfortunately, the oil-and-gas industry – like every other industry – is suffering from the economic crisis. Commodity prices have plummeted. Credits lines are frozen. And Colorado lacks a sufficient pipeline infrastructure to move the natural gas to market. These rules strike a balance, providing both a healthy Colorado and a healthy oil and gas industry.”
-- Posted by Staff
March 12, 2009
Majority Leaders Praise Initial Passage of Oil and Gas Rules
(DENVER) – The House of Representatives, after several hours of debate, passed the newly-revised rules regarding the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado. Today’s initial voice vote is expected to be followed by a recorded vote tomorrow before it goes back to the joint Legislative Legal Services Committee and then onto the Senate.
Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll said, “The new rules are good for public health and good for the economy. They will provide greater public health protections while also allowing the state’s vital oil-and-gas industry to thrive. They strike a healthy balance that will protect public health while encouraging responsible industry growth. Most importantly, they provide a solid foundation for when the industry rebounds. We want sustainable growth, and these rules create that.”
Author of the original rules-making bill, Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) said, “Over the past decade, we have seen an 800 percent increase in the number of new drilling permits issued annually, but not until now have we addressed drilling’s damage to our drinking water, to our open spaces and wildlife, and to our public health.”
“The new protections are reasonable and responsible,” said Rep. Anne McGihon (D-Denver), sponsor of the omnibus rules bill HB 1292. “The new rules ensure timely permitting. They protect drinking water and reduce odors and air emissions. They require the disclosure of chemicals used so the public can know what’s going on in their own backyards. And the new protections give land-owners more control.”
Addressing concerns about the economy and jobs, Rep. Joe Rice (D-Littleton) said, “What’s good for our quality of life is good for business in Colorado. Businesses rely on the protection of Colorado’s natural beauty that draws new people and new businesses here, especially in hospitality and tourism, for anglers and hunters, and for all of us who know we live in the best state in the country. Unfortunately, the oil-and-gas industry – like every other industry – is suffering from the economic crisis. Commodity prices have plummeted. Credits lines are frozen. And Colorado lacks a sufficient pipeline infrastructure to move the natural gas to market. These rules strike a balance, providing both a healthy Colorado and a healthy oil and gas industry.”
-- Posted by Staff
February 25, 2009
Speaker Carroll Makes the Most of District Days, From Northglenn to Glenwood, from Littleton to Stapleton
The Speaker of the House will be busy over “District Days,” meeting, greeting, listening, and of course, speaking. Speaker Terrance Carroll will join Rep. Dianne Primavera in the Broomfield area, Rep. Judy Solano in Adams County, Reps. Sara Gagliardi and Andy Kerr in Jefferson County, Rep. Kathleen Curry in Glenwood Springs, and Rep. Joe Rice in Littleton. He will also meet with community leaders along the way and along the I-70 corridor.
Thursday Feb 26
7am: With Rep. Primavera, attend Adams County Economic Development Forum, Ramada Plaza (I-25 and 120th Avenue, Northglenn).
With Rep. Solano & the Adams County superintendent, visit schools.
8:30 am: Leroy Drive Elementary
9:15 am: Rocky Top Middle School
10 am: Crossroads Alternative School
12pm: With Rep. Gagliardi, work at the Arvada Community Food Bank,
10405 W 64th Place, Arvada, 80004
1pm: With Rep. Kerr, tour the Warren Tech “wind-smithing” program,
13300 West 2nd Place, Lakewood, 80228
6pm: Join Rep. Curry at her Town Hall in Glenwood Springs, at the community center at 100 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs.
Friday Feb 27
8am: Alpine Bank hosts an open meeting at the community center at 100 Wulfsohn Road, Glenwood Springs.
11:30am: Town hall meeting at the Avon Library at 200 West Benchmark Road, Avon. Open to the public.
2:30pm: Town hall meeting at the Frisco community center at 0151 Peak One Boulevard, Frisco. Open to the public.
Saturday Feb 28
10am: Join Rep. Rice and Sen. Newell at their Littleton Town Hall at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 6840 South University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122. Topic: the state’s budget.
7pm: Black History Month Event honoring Speaker Carroll and President Groff, sponsored by the Colorado Black Round Table and the Colorado Black Women for Political Action; Renaissance Hotel, 3801 Quebec, Denver. This is in Speaker Carroll’s home district of Stapleton.
-- Posted by Staff
February 23, 2009
Rep. Curry Hosts Town Hall in Glenwood
Representative hosts meeting during “District Days” with special guest House Speaker Terrance Carroll
WHO: Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, The State’s Speaker Pro-Tempore Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison), Tresi Houpt (Garfield County Commissioner)
WHAT: State Representative Kathleen Curry will host a Town Hall Meeting on February 26th in Glenwood Springs to present an update on the 2009 Legislative Session including the topics of the budget and transportation. She will be joined by special guest Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll and Garfield County Commissioner Tresi Houpt. The community is invited and encouraged to participate. Please bring your questions and ideas.
WHERE: Community Center
100 Wulfsohn Road
Glenwood Springs
WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2009
6:00 – 8:00 PM
-- Posted by Staff
February 06, 2009
House Leaders Announce “District Days” Later This Month
Lawmakers asked to forego per diem, reconnect with constituents (DENVER) Led by Majority Leader Paul Weissmann, the House of Representatives today announced that its members may take two days this month -- Thursday February 26 and Friday February 27 -- back in their districts as “District Days” to reconnect with their constituents and local community leaders.
Rep. Weissmann said, “I hope you’ll go back to your districts, reconnect with your constituents and catch up with their concerns. Please make full use of “District Days” and return to the Capitol with renewed focus and energy.”
While many metro-area legislators hold frequent Town Hall meetings and Coffees, this is much harder for the many legislators who live beyond the metro-area. By returning to their home districts, members can to listen to the concerns of their constituents and
better understand what Colorado families and businesses are going through in these trying times. For some legislators, it may be a chance to re-charge from the Capitol days that sometimes start at 7am and end at 8pm.
Rep. Weissmann explained that this was a logical time to return to their districts: “Wednesday, February 25 is the deadline by which all bills must be through the first House. Typically, the days right after that deadline are a natural lull, a slow couple of days with less work here. One-third of the way through our 120-day session, it’s a good time to check-in at home.”
Legislators were encouraged to voluntarily forego their per diem reimbursements.
Some “District Days” events:
Thursday, February 26:
Rep. Dianne Primavera will lead a health care discussion at Exempla Lutheran Hospital in Lafayette and will meet with patients and support groups that may benefit from her clinical trials bill.
Rep. Sara Gagliardi will work at and serve food at an Arvada food bank
Continue reading "House Leaders Announce “District Days” Later This Month " »
January 30, 2009
Speaker Carroll Addresses Prestigious Crime Symposium
Monday, in New York, he will speak on Sentencing & Corrections Issues (DENVER) – Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll will be travelling to New York on Monday, February 2nd to speak at the 4th Annual Harry F. Guggenheim Symposium on Crime in America. The symposium will be taking place at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York.
Speaker Carroll will join esteemed public safety experts, professors, attorneys, and judges from all across the country to explore the criminal justice challenges that lie ahead.
The Symposium will last the entire day, and Speaker Carroll will participate in Panel II, “The Sentencing and Corrections Challenge: Reinventing the Criminal Justice System.” The panel will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
While the House Speaker is out of town, the House of Representatives will be led by Speaker Pro Tempore Kathleen Curry of Gunnison.
-- Posted by Staff
November 18, 2008
House Democrats Unveil 2009 Committee Chairs & Assignments
(DENVER) The Democratic House Majority today unveiled committee assignments for its members. Included in the announcement were appointments for the Democrats’ nine newly-elected members, Representatives Dennis Apuan (El Paso), Lois Court (Denver), Dickey Lee Hullinghorst (Boulder), Beth McCann (Denver), Joe Miklosi (Denver), Sal Pace (Pueblo), Su Ryden (Aurora), Sue Schafer (JeffCo) and Ed Vigil (San Luis Valley).
House Speaker-elect Terrance Carroll said the varied make-up of the incoming 38-member House Democratic Caucus allowed him to construct committees with a balance of expertise and flexibility.
“We have lawyers and cowboys in our caucus, and we have members that hail from every part of the state,” said Carroll. “Together, we really are Colorado. These committee assignments draw on the diversity and tap the talent of every member in our caucus. For example, eight of 13 committees are chaired by women. This is just one of the many ways we hope to expand the circle of opportunity for all Coloradans.”
The General Assembly will convene on Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
Carroll said, “Our team is ready to hit the ground running.” He singled out Rep. Claire Levy, the newly-appointed Chair of the Judiciary Committee, as “just one example of our many strong leaders who bring a wealth of experience to their new roles.”
Continue reading "House Democrats Unveil 2009 Committee Chairs & Assignments" »
November 11, 2008
Rep. Kathleen Curry of Gunnison Named Speaker Pro Tempore
First Session of the 67th General Assembly Begins Jan. 7, 2009
(DENVER) State Representative Terrance Carroll, Speaker-elect of the Colorado House of Representatives, announced today that he has made a Western Slope addition to the Colorado House Majority leadership team.
The new Speaker pro tem is State Representative Kathleen Curry. Rep. Curry, a Gunnison Democrat, is a small-business owner, a part-time professor at Western State College, a scientist, and a mother of two sons. With her family, Rep. Curry runs a ranch and a small natural beef distribution business.
By way of introduction, Speaker-elect Carroll said, “My goal as Speaker of the House is to tap into the talents and diversity of all 38 members of our caucus. Today, I am proud to announce that I am appointing as our new Speaker pro tempore a smart colleague who is a rancher, scientist, and mother. Rep. Kathleen Curry has a deep and broad understanding of agriculture, property rights, ranching, oil and gas, water rights, and most importantly, economic development issues. Rep. Curry will help lead our caucus as we fight for the middle-class, for job creation, and for economic stability in Colorado. I am thrilled that she has joined our leadership team.”
“I'm happy to accept the role of Speaker Pro Tem and to work side by side with you to improve the lives of everyone in the state,” said Rep. Curry. “Democrats continue to respect rural Coloradans and to hear their voices. Rural voters may be far away from the power-base, but they are powerful. I'm proud to sit at the Democratic leadership table, representing western Colorado and all Coloradans.”
Continue reading "Rep. Kathleen Curry of Gunnison Named Speaker Pro Tempore " »
July 01, 2008
June 26, 2008
April 14, 2008
Rep. Curry Helps Protect Colorado's New Communities from Drought
DENVER – State Representative Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) knows the importance of having adequate water. Her district, which includes Crested Butte, Gunnison and Glenwood Springs, is in the midst of one of the largest energy booms in the country, and has one of the fastest-growing populations in the state. It is also one of the areas hardest hit by Colorado’s most recent drought.
Recognizing the need to safeguard Colorado’s water resources, Rep. Curry took on the challenge of sponsoring a bill that will help ensure developers identify adequate water supplies before new developments are approved.
“It’s tempting to just grow and grow and grow,” said Rep. Curry on Monday. “New development brings new jobs and can lift a whole economy. But if we’re not careful – if we don’t develop Colorado responsibly – Colorado’s homeowners will be left without water.”
The Colorado House of Representatives recently passed Curry’s House Bill 1141, with a bi-partisan vote of 46 to 18. The bill will provide cities, counties and others making planning decisions with verification of the adequacy of proposed water supplies before they approve new developments.
Continue reading "Rep. Curry Helps Protect Colorado's New Communities from Drought" »
March 31, 2008
Rep. Curry Responds to Oil & Gas Proposal
(DENVER) - The Colorado Department of Natural Resources today proposed new ways to address Colorado’s oil and gas development. In response, State Representative Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison) released the following statement:
"Today's announcement on how we will manage the oil and gas drilling boom balances protection of the environment, wildlife and public health with energy development. Today, we have a clear and practical plan to put common sense protections in place."
-- Posted by staff
March 11, 2008
Legislators Call for More Accountability in Colorado’s Conservation Easement Tax Credit
Vow to “make a successful program stronger”
DENVER— Vowing to “make a successful program stronger,” House Majority Leader Alice Madden (D-Boulder), Rep. Bernie Buescher, (D-Grand Junction), and Rep. Kathleen Curry(D-Gunnison) trumpeted their legislation to add an extra layer of accountability for state conservation easement tax credits.
The measure, House Bill 1353, will build upon changes enacted last year which increased the standards, transparency and accountability for the tax credits.
Conservation easements are sold or donated by private landowners to nonprofits or government agencies to guarantee that a parcel of land will never be developed. Property owners may continue using their land as it has been used but give up the rights to sell the land to developers in the future or to develop it themselves.
The drafting of HB 1353 was guided by the Colorado Conservation Easement Tax Credit Task Force, led by Rep. Madden. The 2007 task force included legislators, landowners, state officials and land trust representatives.
“Colorado has benefited from conservation easements in every corner of the state that protect farms, ranchland, wildlife habitat, scenic and historic landscapes and other unique natural lands. These are places that could have been lost forever to development without the state tax credits,” said Rep. Madden. “Our goal is to make this successful program stronger.”
