Overview
The Colorado Produced Water Consortium, established by HB23-1242 in the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, consists of individuals with expertise in produced water related to oil and gas operations, environmental impacts, environmental justice concerns, and community perspectives. The primary goal of the Consortium is to reduce the use of fresh water and increase the recycling of produced water in oil and gas operations.
Primary Duties
The Consortium is made up of 31 members representing state and federal agencies, research institutions, environmental groups, industry, local governments, environmental justice groups, and disproportionately impacted communities. The Consortium aims to encourage the reuse and recycling of produced water and address barriers associated with the utilization of produced water. The CPWC will provide an informed path for the utilization of this water resource inside, and potentially outside, of the oilfield in Colorado. The Consortium will identify and address critical scientific, legislative, and regulatory knowledge gaps needed to develop policies that are protective of public health, welfare, safety, the environment, and wildlife resources in Colorado.
Legislative Reports
The Colorado Produced Water Consortium is responsible for submitting reports to the Colorado General Assembly per HB23-1242 Water Conservation in Oil and Gas Operations. Completed reports are posted on the website. Draft reports are listed in the meeting materials. Pending legislative deliverables are discussed in the Colorado Produced Water Consortium Strategic Plan 2023-2030.
2025
2025 Colorado Produced Water Consortium Annual Update (Submitted April 1, 2025)
2024
2024 Colorado Produced Water Consortium Annual Update (Submitted April 1, 2024)
Initial Guidance Documents and Case Studies to Promote Best Practices for In-field Recycling and Reuse of Produced Water Report (Submitted March 1, 2024)
Initial Produced Water Regulatory Policy Coordination Report (Submitted May 1, 2024)
Current State of Produced Water Infrastructure, Storage, and Treatment Facilities Across the State with Emphasis on the Denver-Julesburg Basin Report (Submitted July 1, 2024)
Initial Availability of Produced Water for Reuse and Recycling Analysis Report (Submitted August 1, 2024)
Strategic Priorities on Topics Related to Produced Water (Submitted August 16, 2024)
Initial Report on Infrastructure Storage, and Treatment Facilities Necessary to Achieve Different Levels of Recycling & Reuse of Produced Water (Submitted August 30, 2024)
Identifying Barriers to the Safe Recycling and Reuse of Produced Water Report (Submitted October 30, 2024)
Colorado Produced Water Consortium Recommendations for 2024 ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking (Submitted to ECMC September 17, 2024)
Produced Water Reuse and Recycling Goals and Contemporaneous Decreases in Fresh Water Use Report (Submitted December 2, 2024)
Meeting Materials
May 9, 2025
Meeting Recording - Pending
Documents:
- Previous Meetings - 2025
April 4, 2025
Presentations (PDFs):
Implementation of Produced Water Rulemaking, ECMC Deputy Director
Strategic Plan Update Slide Presentation
Developing Data Requests to Support Consortium Strategic Priorities, Shared by Harmony Cummings, Colorado Rising and Irene Andress, Sierra Club
Ideas for 2025/2026 Work Priorities, Shared by Barbara Vasquez, Western Colorado Alliance
Documents:
Analysis of Strategic Plan and 2025/2026 Work Priorities Survey
Strategic Plan Updated April 4, 2025
Maximizing the Use of Existing UIC Wells in the DJ Basin for Distributed Recycling of Produced Water, Shared by Doug White, NGL Energy Partners
Strategic Planning Notes from Whiteboard
Public Comments:
Urgent Need for Stronger Mandates on Produced Water Recycling Submitted by Deborah Deal-Blackwell, APR, IX Power Clean Water
Review and Comments Related to Strategic Plan Update and 2025/2026 Consortium Work Priorities Submitted by Kristine Mize-Spansky, Integrity Management & GIS Supervisor, QB Energy
March 14, 2025
Presentations:
First Draft: Analytical and Toxicological Methods and Evaluation Tools for Produced Water Treatment and Potential Use Outside of the Oil Field Evaluation Report (Slide Presentation)
Policy Handbook for Boards & Commission (Slide Presentation)
2025 Consortium Orientation by Attorney Generals Office (Slide Presentation)
Documents:
Policy Handbook for Boards & Commissions
Health Effects Institute (HEI) Event Announcement: Measuring and Modeling Air Pollution and Noise Exposure Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development in Colorado
Public Comments: No written public comments received
February 14, 2025
Presentations:
Reusing Oil and Gas Produced Water for Agricultural Irrigation and Stream Augmentation, Thomas Borch, Professor at Colorado State University
Colorado Produced Water Consortium 2024 Achievements
ECMC Form 47 and Form 7W Data Summary
Documents:
Executive Summaries for HB23-1242 Reports
Public Comments:
Toxicology Considerations: Researched Concerns and Mycoremediation and Bioremediations Positive Potentials Submitted by Angelique Rodriguez
Toxicology considerations in Bioremediation and Mycoremediation within Oil and Gas Industry Submitted by Angelique Rodriguez
- Previous Meetings - 2024
No Meeting in December 2024
For Review by November 15, 2024
October 11, 2024
Meeting Recording Transcript - Pending
Legislative Reports for Review:
DRAFT: Identifying Barriers to the Safe Recycling and Reuse of Produced Water Report
Slide Presentation: Identifying Barriers to the Safe Recycling and Reuse of Produced Water Report
September 13, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
Presentation: FINAL DRAFT: Colorado Produced Water Consortium Recommendations for 2024 ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking
Presentation: Approach to Addendum to Infrastructure, Storage, and Treatment Facilities Necessary to Achieve Different Levels of Recycling & Reuse of Produced Water
Public Comments: City of Aurora re Consortium's Recommendations for ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking from Jeffrey Moore
City of Aurora re Consortium's Recommendations for ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking from Susan Sherman
QB Energy re Consortium's Recommendations for ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking
Adams County Redlines of ECMC Produced Water Draft Rules
Angelique Rodriguez re Consortium's Recommendations for ECMC Produced Water Rulemaking
August 22, 2024 Special Meeting
Legislative Reports for Review:
Slide Presentations: ECMC Data Used in FINAL DRAFT of Initial Report on Infrastructure Storage, and Treatment Facilities Necessary to Achieve Different Levels of Recycling & Reuse of Produced Water
Public Comments: Ember Michel re San Juan Basin Comments for Special Session Infrastructure
QB Energy re Strategic Priorities Draft Report
August 9, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
Slide Presentations: FIRST DRAFT of Recommendations
Public Comment: Caerus Piceance LLC re Draft Documents
July 12, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
FINAL DRAFT: Initial Availability of Produced Water for Reuse and Recycling Analysis
FIRST DRAFT: Strategic Priorities on Topics Related to Produced Water
Presentations: Pending
June 7, 2024
Meeting Recording Full Transcript for Parts 1 and 2
Legislative Reports for Review:
FIRST DRAFT: Initial Availability of Produced Water for Reuse and Recycling Analysis
Proposed Approach to Strategic Priorities on Topics Related to Produced Water
Public Comment: Caerus Piceance LLC Talking Points for Public Comment
May 10, 2024
Meeting Recording
Legislative Reports for Review:
Presentation: Proposed Approach to Initial Availability of Produced Water for Reuse and Recycling Analysis
Public Comment: Caerus Piceance LLC re Current Infrastructure Draft Report and Approach to Produced Water Availability Report
April 5, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
FINAL DRAFT: Initial Produced Water Regulatory Policy Coordination Recommendation Report
Presentations:
For Discussion Recommendations and Special Considerations from FINAL DRAFT: Initial Produced Water Regulatory Policy Coordination Recommendation Report - Presented by Hope Dalton, Director
Methods to identify hazards in produced water - Presented by Chris Corton, PhD, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, EPA
Geologic History of Colorado - Presented by Cat Campbell, Science Advisor: Data Innovation, ECMC
Public Comment: IX Power Clean Water re Draft Regulatory Policy Coordination Draft Report
March 8, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
FIRST DRAFT Initial Produced Water Regulatory Policy Coordination Recommendation Report
Presentations:
Produced Water Management - Projects in Oil-field Produced Water (OPW) Treatment, Recycle and ReUse - Presented by Clay Terry, Managing Partner Natural Resource Advisors, LLC
A Method to Identify and Prioritize Produced Water Chemicals for Research - Presented by Dr. Cloelle Danforth, Senior Staff Scientist Health Effects Institute
Water Quality of Produced Water - Presented by Dr. James Rosenblum, Managing Director Colorado School of Mines WE2ST Water Technology Hub
Public Comment: Caerus Piceance LLC re Regulatory Policy Coordination Draft Report
February 9, 2024
Legislative Reports for Review:
Presentations:
Water Treatment and Reuse Opportunities & Considerations - Presented by Erik Anglund, PE, Oxy Water
Lonestar Recycling Facility - Presented by Grant Tupper, Select Water
January 12, 2024
Presentations:
HB23-1242 Data Update - Presented by Greg Deranleau, ECMC
Upcoming Meeting Topics and Timeline - Presented by Hope Dalton, CPWC
ECMC Produced Water Analytical Data - Presented by Arthur Koepsell, ECMC
Legal Water Background - Presented by Tracy Kosloff, DWR
- Previous Meetings - 2023
December 1, 2023
Written Reports:
Presentations:
Produced Water: Water Reuse Program and Regulatory Landscape - Presented by Tricia Pfeiffer, EPA
Produced Water Road Map - Presented by Tessa Sorensen, CDPHE
ECMC Produced Water Rules and Regulations - Presented by John Heil, ECMC
Draft Strategic Plan and Legislative Deliverable 1 - Presented by Hope Dalton, CPWC
Public Comment: No Written Public Comment Received
November 9, 2023
Video: COGCC Commission Hearing - October 5, 2021 (Water Presentations)
Pre-Meeting Presentations: Water Educational Presentations
Presentation: Planning for Results Strategic Planning - November 9, 2023
Public Comment:
Sandy Borthick Citizens for Huerfano County
Kristine Mize Spansky provided oral public comment, see meeting recording and meeting transcript
October 6, 2023
10/6/2023 Strategic Planning Meeting Agenda
Meeting Recording - Part 1 Introductions and Logistics (17min 44sec)
Meeting Recording Transcript - Part 1 Introductions and Logistics
Meeting Recording - Part 2 Developing Strategic Priorities (2 hr 59 min)
Meeting Recording Transcript - Part 2 Developing Strategic Priorities
Meeting Recording - Part 3 Strategic Results for Legislation and Education (1hr 30 min)
Meeting Recording Transcript - Part 3 Strategic Results for Legislation and Education
Presentation: Planning for Results - Strategic Planning - October 6, 2023
Public Comment: No Written Public Comment Received
September 15, 2023
9/15/2023 First Meeting of Consortium Agenda
Meeting Recording - Initial Meeting of the Consortium (2hr 37min)
Meeting Recording Transcript - Initial Meeting of the Consortium
Presentation: Colorado Attorney General's Office Consortium Training 2023
Presentation: Information on Produced Water Consortiums
Public Comment: No Written Public Comment Received
Notices/Calendar
Zoom Meeting Info Link
Phone: +1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 819 7115 9925
2025 Meeting Schedule:
January 2025 - No meeting scheduled
February 14, 2025, 9 AM to 12 PM - CSU Spur, 4777 National Western Dr, Denver, CO 80216
March 14, 2025, 9 AM to 11:30 AM - Virtual
April 4, 2025 - Water Technology Hub at the Colorado School of Mines, 6756 E 47th Ave Dr, Denver CO 80216
May 9, 2025 - 9 AM to 12 PM - Virtual
June 6, 2025 - 195 14th St, Rifle, CO 81650, Bldg. D, 2nd floor in the Garfield County Rifle Administration building
July 2025 - Date to be determined - Virtual
August 2025 - Date to be determined - Virtual
October/November/December 2025 - To be determined
Public Comment for 5/9/2025 Meeting Open
Public Comment is Open for the Consortium's Meeting on May 9, 2025.
The Colorado Produced Water Consortium will seek written and oral public comment on the following:
All members of the public are encouraged to provide public comment.
Sign Up to be Added to Notification List
Receive updates or press releases from the Colorado Produced Water Consortium:
Governing Body
John Messner, CPWC Chair, Commissioner, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
Tracy Kosloff, Deputy State Engineer, Colorado Division of Water Resources
Tessa Sorensen, Energy Liaison, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Members
Representatives from state or federal agencies:
John Heil, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission
Tricia Pfeiffer, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Carmia Woolley, Bureau of Land Management
Brandi Honeycutt, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Representatives from research institutions or institutions of higher education:
James Rosenblum, Colorado School of Mines
Thomas Borch, Colorado State University
Joseph Ryan, University of Colorado-Boulder
Tzahi Cath, Colorado School of Mines
Representatives from environmental non-governmental organizations:
Cloelle Danforth, Health Effects Institute
Harmony Cummings, Colorado Rising
Barbara Vasquez, Western Colorado Alliance
Michael Freeman, Earthjustice
Representatives from the oil and gas industry:
Mark Hefta, Chevron
Jeffrey Kirtland, Terra Energy Partners
Michelina Paulek, The Energy Council
John Lipka, Evergreen Natural Resources
Representatives from local government:
Emma Pinter, Adams County Commissioner
Doug Overton, Rio Blanco County Commissioner
Representatives with experience and expertise in produced water:
Doug White, NGL Energy Partners
Rick McCurdy, Select Energy Services
Erik Anglund, Occidental Petroleum
Clay Terry, Natural Resource Advisors
Legislatively Appointed Members
The Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives appointments:
Kevin Chan, member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who resides in a disproportionately impacted community.
Irene Andress, nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
Nikie Wells, member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who reside in a disproportionately impacted community.
The President of the Colorado Senate appointments:
Jolie Brawner, member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
Jacob Smith, member of a nongovernmental organization in the state that works on and advocates for policies related to environmental justice and conservation.
Ember Michel, a member from a nongovernmental organization in the state that works with and advocates for disproportionately impacted communities and communities of color or who resides in a disproportionately impacted community. Ember Michel is the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety for Red Willow Production Company, an affiliate of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
General Consortium Info:
Hope Dalton, Director for Colorado Produced Water Consortium, hope.dalton@state.co.us
Media Inquiries & CORA requests:
Chris Arend, Communications Director, chris.arend@state.co.us, 303-264-8615