U.S. Water News Online
DENVER -- Thousands of Colorado farmers, municipalities and others with water rights will soon receive invoices for new fees expected to raise more than $3.5 million for the state over the next two years.
The Colorado Division of Water Resources has mailed more than 10,000 invoices for 35,000 water rights across the state, said Ken Knox, chief deputy state engineer for the water resources division.
The Legislature approved the fees last year as an alternative to laying off water commissioners, who oversee and administer water rights, Knox said.
The two-year program should bring in an estimated $1.8 million annually.
It will be the first time in Colorado the state is imposing a fee on water rights. Knox said his office is preparing to handle telephone calls with complaints and questions in early February.
``People are justifiably concerned. It's an imposition of a new fee,'' Knox said. ``They recognize the need for it, but it is difficult. And some are just very, very angry.''
The fees are separated by direct flow rights and storage rights. Only direct water rights involving flow of 1 cubic foot per second or more will be assessed a fee. Agricultural users will be assessed a fee of $10 per year, while all other users, including municipalities, will have to pay $250.
Fees will also be applied to people with storage rights greater than 100 acre feet. People using their storage rights for agricultural purposes will have to pay $25, while all others will get a bill for $100.
The division conducted 15 meetings last fall to tell people about the fees. The Legislature would have to pass the measure again to continue the program after 2005.
Knox said his office has established a toll-free number to handle the calls from people.
``We expect to spend many late evenings here the first couple weeks of February because we need to respond to those people's concerns very timely,'' Knox said. ``That's only fair.''
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