The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has highlighted recent progress made by the Colorado Produced Water Consortium, a group established to guide policy on produced water reuse in the state. On July 1, the Consortium submitted its ninth and final report to the Colorado Legislature, fulfilling requirements set out by state lawmakers. This comes alongside new rules adopted by the Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) that require increased use of recycled produced water in oil and gas operations.
Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, acknowledged the collaborative work behind these developments. “I want to thank the members of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium for their collaborative approach to meeting the requirements of legislation to research the use and reuse of produced water and for their key role informing the adoption of new produced water rules at ECMC,” said Gibbs.
Colorado’s new ECMC rules are considered a first in the nation, mandating that industry uses more recycled produced water. The Consortium will monitor how these rules are implemented each year to ensure ongoing efforts to reduce fresh water consumption in oil and gas activities.
Consortium Chair John Messner commented on how varied expertise contributed to this effort: “It is special to see a group of individuals with such a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise be able to work together in a way that values and listens to each other’s voices and perspectives,” said Messner. He credited leadership from Director Hope Dalton and support from several state agencies as factors behind their accomplishments.
The Consortium was created as a neutral platform for stakeholders from government, industry, public health, environmental groups, and academia. Its updated strategic plan continues an emphasis on transparency, science-based analysis, data-driven decision-making, and broad collaboration.
Michelina Paulek of The Energy Council described how different backgrounds strengthened policymaking: “This monumental accomplishment was only possible because of the tireless effort and collaboration of people from diverse backgrounds—scientists, regulators, operators, and community leaders—each bringing their unique perspective to build a policy that is balanced, informed, and future-focused.”
Thomas Borch from Colorado State University noted broader impacts: “The accomplishments of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium are monumental since the mandatory use of recycled produced water will help limit the need for fresh water, enforce more sustainable water management strategies, and set a precedent for other states in the Arid West,” he said.
As drought remains an issue in Colorado, Irene Andress from Sierra Club emphasized responsible resource management: “As Colorado continues to face drought conditions, good water stewardship is important. Recycling produced water in oil and gas operations helps manage this essential resource. The Consortium has worked to bring together our collective insights into identifying challenges and proposing equitable ways to save fresh water. As we begin to obtain more data, we look forward to providing guidance for industry and state authorities to ensure rapid progress towards protecting water quality and quantity for Colorado,” she said.
Rick McCurdy from Select Water Solutions praised inclusivity within the group: “I am very honored to be a member of the Colorado Produced Water Consortium and proud of the group’s accomplishments since its inception. This consortium demonstrates the strength of a diverse, passionate, and knowledgeable community who can come together and respectfully discuss and debate various topics and ensure that all voices in the room are being heard. This strength has allowed the Consortium to meet the deliverables established by the Colorado Legislature to date and to be fully prepared for those yet to come,” McCurdy stated.
Looking ahead, Dr. Barbara Vasquez from Western Colorado Alliance outlined next steps: “After years of hard work by community members and the deliberations of the Consortium members, it is an important step for Colorado to require the use of recycled produced water in oil and gas operations. Much work remains to leverage this momentum and to significantly reduce the amount of freshwater used in operations. I am counting on the ECMC to make these recommendations meaningful and provide clear enforcement mechanisms. We need to build a solid foundation on which to continue our work to protect and preserve our critical water resources,” Vasquez said.
The Consortium’s ongoing mission includes evaluating rule implementation across communities statewide while supporting scientific research relevant for legislative decisions.
Formed under HB23-1242 within DNR oversight, the Consortium brings together experts focused on reducing fresh water use through recycling initiatives linked with oil-and-gas activity.
