Key Legislation
Improving and restoring Grand Lake clarity doesn't happen by chance — it's shaped by decades of policy, agreements, and regulatory frameworks that govern how water is managed across the Upper Colorado River Watershed. The legislation and legal frameworks listed here represent the foundation upon which current restoration efforts are built. From interstate water compacts to environmental review processes, these laws and agreements define the obligations, limitations, and opportunities that guide what can be done — and by whom — to address the ongoing clarity challenges facing Grand Lake. Understanding this legislative landscape is essential context for anyone looking to follow the progress of restoration work in the region.
Senate Document 80 - https://www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/14165/Senate-Document-80---electronic-highlights?bidId=
Section 402 of the Clean Water Act, 40 CFR §122.3(i); National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Water Transfers Rule, 73 Fed. Reg. 33697 (June 13, 2008) - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-122
Grand Lake Clarity Standard - Colorado Regulation #33 (5 CCR 1002-33) - www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=2199&fileName=5%20CCR%201002-33
2013 Grand Lake Clarity Standard Supplement - http://www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/14166/2013---Clarity-Supplement-with-signatures?bidId=
Windy Gap Firming Project 1041 Permit - www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/1369/Windy-Gap-Firming-Project-1041-Permit-Resolution
2025 Grand Lake Adaptive Management Plan Annual Report - www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/29487/2025-Grand-Lake-Adaptive-Managment-Annual-Report
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Order No. R12PX60331 - Grand Lake Water Clarity Technical Review and Work Plan - www.usbr.gov/gp/ecao/final_grand_lake_clarity.pdf
2024 Colorado Clarity Bill - HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 24-1018 - https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/46754/download
Why Grand Lake Clarity Matters - https://www.northernwater.org/environmental/environmental-collaborative-programs/grand-lake-clarity