HJR 1017 Colorado House · 2026 Regular Session

Ute Water Rights

HJR 1017 is a joint resolution urging the federal government to fulfill its obligations under the 1986 Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement. It specifically calls for action to address infrastructure gaps affecting two tribes: the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes, who have settled water rights but cannot access or use them due to missing pipelines (e.g., from Lake Nighthorse) and deteriorating irrigation systems (like the PRIIP, requiring $126 million in repairs). The resolution highlights federal failures to fund operations, maintain infrastructure, and enable tribes to utilize their legally secured water for agriculture, municipal use, and economic development. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests federal action to resolve these longstanding barriers.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2026 Last action Apr 1, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Revised → Signed Act · 6 edits · Apr 1, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a draft version to a signed act, incorporating specific details about the history of the Ute water settlement and current infrastructure failures. The text was expanded to explain that while water rights were secured, the tribes cannot use the water because there is no physical infrastructure to move it from the reservoir to the reservations. It also added critical information about the deteriorating condition of the Pine River irrigation system and unfrozen federal funds, highlighting the urgent need for federal action to fulfill its obligations.

SCOPE

Added detailed background on the 1986 Settlement Agreement and the 1988 federal act that implemented it, explaining the purpose of securing water rights for the tribes.

Included new information about the Animas-La Plata Project, noting that while the reservoir is full, there is no infrastructure to deliver the water to the tribes, causing the water to flow unused downstream.

Added details about the Dolores Project for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, explaining that federal funds for its development have been frozen by the current administration.

Included new information about the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project, describing its poor condition, the high cost of repairs, and the fact that the tribe has spent its own money because the federal government failed to pay for promised repairs.

Added details about the Vallecito Reservoir, noting structural deficiencies in the spillway that create a flood risk for downstream communities.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'Revised' to 'Signed Act' and updated the session dates to reflect the final passage of the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker of the House

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In House - Assigned to

lower

4 primary · 82 co-sponsors