It's about time - this is the stupidest law. First, there's no evidence that the rain that falls on your lawns actually makes it to a waterway; second, once you turn around and water your lawn with it when it's dry two days later, it's getting in the ground just like it would've during the rainstorm anyway.
State Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo) said Colorado is the only state in the country that has such a ban. She's cosponsoring HB1259, which would allow people to collect up to 110 gallons of rainwater in two 55-gallon rain barrels.
The bill passed the state House earlier this week with bipartisan support in a 45 to 20 vote. It's now in the hands of state senators.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
While they are at it, they may as well pass a law allowing people to legally collect and use the sunshine that shines on their property, before some lawmaker finds a way to prohibit that, or tax it.
If you want to be, press one. If you want not to be, press 2
Republicans are red, democrats are blue, neither of them, gives a flip about you.
Don't you guys get it? The water in the rivers comes from rain and they've sold that water a long time ago. People have bought and paid for it just like they bought highway 36. The Right Wing, the privatisers will sell the air we breath once the figure out how to do it-
Revisions in grey water use are also being considered.
While I doubt this will be allowed for people on public water/sewer systems because of water rights and augmentation plans, it could fly in foothills areas for people on well and septic.
Regulation No. 86 Overview
Regulation 86 is being proposed by CDPHE in response to the adoption of House Bill 13-
1044 ("HB1044") which authorized, for the first time in Colorado, the use of "graywater." A
copy of the final, adopted, House Bill 13-1044, and the notice of rulemaking and draft proposed
Regulation 86 are attached to this memorandum for your reference.
HB1044 allows a "city, city and county, or county" to implement its own local graywater
control program by passing an ordinance or resolution crafting a local program. Any local
graywater control program must meet the minimum criteria as defined in Regulation 86.
However, CDPHE's proposed Regulation 86 contemplates that the local city or county will have exclusive enforcement authority while CDPHE simply oversees state-wide implementation and
health and safety concerns regarding water quality.
"Graywater" is defined by section 86.8(14) of the regulation as well as § 25-8-103,
C.R.S., as "wastewater that, before being treated or combined with other wastewater, is collected
from fixtures within residential, commercial, or industrial buildings or institutional facilities for
the purpose of being put to beneficial use." Sources of graywater include discharges from:
• Bathroom and laundry room sinks;
• Bathtubs;
• Showers; and
• Laundry machines
Graywater sources do not include wastewater from: toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, dishwashers,
and nonlaundry utility sinks Use of graywater will be limited to application within the facility
generating the graywater and the proposed Regulation 86 also includes a number of other
requirements which minimize the potential for human-contact with graywater.
Graywater use will not be allowed in cities or counties which have not adopted or passed
an ordinance establishing a local control program. However, in a city or county which has
passed such a program, any individual or company wishing to utilize graywater will be entitled
to do so without regard for the desires of the municipal water or wastewater service provider.
The legislative session is drawing to a close and they haven't decided upon this bill. If they go into break without passing or failing it, it drops completely and has to be re-submitted when they get back into session.
Don't Let Legislators Stall Rain Barrels!
Legislation to legalize rain barrels has broad bipartisan and statewide support but is being held captive in the Colorado Senate. This common sense measure would legalize the residential use of rain barrels - allowing citizens to supplement water in their gardens and better understand our water use. If we want to join the rest of the country and finally legalize rain barrels - we need you to contact Colorado Senate leadership and tell them to give rain barrels a fair vote!
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen. Even though it has the votes to get out of committee, and would clearly pass in the house and senate, Republican Rep. Sonneberg will not let it come to a vote.
"Supporters say the bill has been held hostage by the Republican chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee, who very publicly loathes even the concept of the legislation.
House Bill 1259 has the votes to pass the committee, with Republican Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango acting as the swing vote to push the bill on to the full Senate for consideration. The measure already passed the House in March.
But Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, has delayed a vote on the bill since April 16. Upset with the aim of the bill, Sonnenberg pushed an amendment that would require rain-barrel users to register with the Office of the State Engineer, which handles water resources.
Critics of the amendment say it would kill the bill by adding an expensive price tag. To which Sonnenberg replied, “Aw-shucks.”"
Very slight chance that the bill will be passed over Sonneberg's objections. Ellen Roberts (R - Durango) voted with dems in the Ag committee to pass it out of committee. It must go through two readings, then full Senate vote before midnight tonight.
Colorado is the only state that prohibits rain barrel collection. It is estimated that less than 3 percent of rainwater from roofs actually reach drainages( urban areas surrounded by concrete that collect rainwater through storm drains, which are not going to be using rain barrels anyway).
"Remember to always be yourself. Unless you can be batman. Then always be batman." Unknown
For the second year in a row, a legislative storm is brewing in Colorado over who legally owns drops of rain.
A bill that would allow gardeners to store 110 gallons of runoff from their roof in up to two rain barrels passed on a 10-2 bipartisan vote in a House committee Monday. Republicans in the state Senate let a similar bill expire without a vote on the chamber floor at the end of last year's session.
Colorado is the only state that bans rain barrels and is one of just four states that restrict so-called rainwater harvesting, joined by Arizona, Oklahoma and Utah, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, a chief opponent last year, said the bill would face problems in the Senate if it does not acknowledge the state's prior appropriation doctrine, which ensures those with senior water rights get their share. The bill also must identify a state agency or other authority to see that happens, he said.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
