The Future of Severance Taxes and Water Funding Task Force, established by SB25-040, is set to begin meetings this fall. The group will study severance taxes and water funding in Colorado and develop recommendations to support ongoing water needs and energy impact grants as severance tax revenue declines.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), emphasized the importance of state funding for water projects: “State funding for water projects and conservation is critical for Colorado communities working to adapt to a hotter and dryer West. This task force will allow our water community to take an intentional approach to sustaining funding levels into the future. We appreciate the bill’s sponsors and thank the task force members for their willingness to dedicate their time and expertise to this effort,” said Gibbs.
Task force appointments include representatives from various state departments, advocacy groups, local government officials, industry experts, and municipal leaders. Members were designated by officials such as DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs, CDA Commissioner Kate Greenberg, DOLA Executive Director Maria De Cambra, legislative leaders, and the Governor.
Carly Jacobs (Chief Financial Officer at DNR) and Lauren Ris (Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board) were appointed by Gibbs. Other appointees include Robert Sakata from the Department of Agriculture; Eric Bergman from Local Affairs; Brian Jackson representing environmental advocacy; Doug Dennison from Ecopoint Incorporated for oil and gas interests; Steve Wolff from Southwestern Water Conservation District; Shawn Bolton representing agriculture; Jim Yahn as a county commissioner from Logan County; Elyse Ackerman Casselberry as a municipal official from Delta; Nate Pearson as project manager from DNR; and Karen Schlatter from Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Center serving as third-party facilitator.
According to SB25-040’s requirements, the study will focus on finding alternatives to transferring severance tax revenues into the general fund. It also aims to identify ways to replace severance tax revenue previously transferred there. The task force will collaborate with Schlatter’s team at CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension on these efforts.
A draft report detailing findings and recommendations is expected by January 15, 2026. The report will be submitted for review by both DNR leadership and task force members before final recommendations are made.
