DENVER – Lawmakers are eyeing ways to improve water conservation by encouraging higher standards for new construction.

House Bill 1273, which would require the inclusion of measures to conserve water and reduce indoor and outdoor demands in plans for new developments, was passed Monday by the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee on a 9-4 vote.

It would strengthen current statute by requiring that developers provide water conservation measures as part of their request for a construction permit.

The strictures outlined in HB 1273 would only apply to developments of at least 50 units, and it would be at the discretion of local government to decide if implementation of the conservation measures would be required.

That was a divergence from the bill as introduced, which required that the measure not only be identified in the permit proposals but implemented in the development.

The requirements were defanged by an amendment to maintain local control over new construction, and not place a mandate on counties and municipalities, said Rep. Hugh McKean, R-Loveland and co-sponsor of the bill.

Representatives on the committee came in with concerns about the bill’s apparent attack on local control, which quickly turned to questions of what the bill would accomplish.

“Now with the amendment it doesn’t do much,” said. Rep. Steve Lebstock, D-Thornton.

The bill sponsors believe it is a step forward, as it allows local governments to have a complete picture of what the water efficiency of a development would be and the options for improving that efficiency.

Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver and sponsor of the bill, was quick to point out that he does not see HB 1273 as an all encompassing remedy for water usage issues in the state, but a small and important step towards shifting the discussion on water conservation in the right direction..

“I think this is really one of those turning the Titanic moments,” Hansen said.

The bill heads to the full House for consideration.

lperkins@durangoherald.com