MINUTES
CCWCD, GMS AND WAS BOARD RETREAT
DECEMBER 6, 2022
The combined Board Retreat of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Groundwater Management Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the Gilcrest Fire Station located at 14679 County Road 42, Gilcrest, Colorado. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by Chairman Ralph Anders and the following Directors were present: Ralph Anders, President; Chad Schafer, Vice President; Bret Schmidt, Treasurer; David Bernhardt; Frank Eckhardt; Gary Herman; Vern Kammerzell; Everett Kissler; Randy Knutson; Alan Mazzotti and Don Rosenbrock. Directors absent were Alan Axton; Steve Bruntz and Doug Dill.
Others present were Randy Ray, Executive Director; William Mihelich, District Engineer; Danyelle Hart, Financial Analyst; Courtney Sandoval, Water Quality Coordinator; Tammy Rusch, Office Manager and Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager. Field staff employees included Chris French, John Fingerlin, Shane Novotny, Joe Rudd and Trey Stillahn. Guests were Brad Grasmick of Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan; Ed Armbruster of White Sands Engineers and Tom Cech.
President Anders welcomed the board, staff and guest to the retreat and made opening statements.
Brad Grasmick presented case 22CW3159 from the October 2022 resume regarding Impetus, LLC’s application to make a conditional water right absolute.
MOVE TO OPPOSE CASE 22CW3159.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED
Billy Mihelich presented his memorandum to the board regarding well additions with junior priority dates to the augmentation plans. Billy described the issues surrounding junior priority dates and the effects they have on the augmentation plans. The Directors discussed several options suggested by the staff including developing a new subdistrict, a new augmentation plan dedicated to junior wells, reducing allocations to junior wells or a moratorium on adding junior wells to the GMS and WAS augmentation plans.
MOVE TO APPROVE A MORATORIUM ON THE TRANSFER OF WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACTS WITH WELLS HAVING A PRIORITY DATE SENIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1972 TO CONTRACTS WITH WELLS HAVING A PRIORITY DATE JUNIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1972 UNTIL A POLICY IS DEVELOPED.
MOTION: GARY HERMAN
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED
Adjourned for lunch at 12:00 P.M.
Tom Cech presented a Feasibility Study for the proposed Water Education Center. Mr. Cech discussed his preliminary steps of researching the need and interest in a Water Education Center. The study
includes potential locations, curriculum, staffing and costs. Mr. Cech addressed the benefits of CCWCD building a Water Education Center and public perception of such a project.
Tammy Rusch presented the Water Education Program five year plan she and Tom Cech developed. Tammy discussed public education, school programs and training for employees. The plan includes a schedule for implementation.
New Business
Director Herman posed a question regarding the availability of a CCWCD field staff person running recharge for the Platteville Irrigating and Milling Ditch during the off season. The staff will work on an agreement.
Tom Cech suggested extending an invitation to attend a board meeting to John Tracy, Director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University.
MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION: DON ROSENBROCK
SECOND: DAVE BERNHARDT
MOTION CARRIED
The retreat was adjourned at 2:05 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn Kramer