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Colorado agencies are addressing the federal proposal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA to redefine 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposed changes aim to align with a 2023 Supreme Court decision that narrowed WOTUS to navigable waters and wetlands with consistent connections.

Colorado has enacted House Bill 1379 to establish its own water protections, addressing concerns about the federal proposal's potential impact on arid states. The bill mandates the state's Water Quality Control Commission to create regulations safeguarding isolated wetlands and seasonal streams.

Colorado officials emphasize the importance of these waters for ecological health and state resources, highlighting that 68% of Colorado's stream miles are non-perennial. The comment period for the federal proposal has concluded, leading to a review phase before finalizing the rule.