H. R. 3443
One Hundred Ninth Congress
of the
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and six 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain water distribution facilities 
to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) CONTRACT.—The term ‘‘contract’’ means—
(A) the contract between the United States and the 
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District providing 
for the construction of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, 
dated July 5, 1938; and 
(B) any amendments and supplements to the contract 
described in subparagraph (A). 
(2) DISTRICT.—The term ‘‘District’’ means the Northern 
Colorado Water Conservancy District. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
(4) TRANSFERRED
WATER
DISTRIBUTION
FACILITIES.—The 
term ‘‘transferred water distribution facilities’’ means the fol-
lowing facilities of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project located 
in the counties of Larimer, Boulder, and Weld, Colorado: 
(A) The St. Vrain Supply Canal. 
(B) The Boulder Creek Supply Canal that extends from 
the St. Vrain River to Boulder Creek, including that portion 
that extends from the St. Vrain River to Boulder Reservoir, 
which is also known as the ‘‘Boulder Feeder Canal’’. 
(C) The South Platte Supply Canal. 
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF TRANSFERRED WATER DISTRIBUTION FACILI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, as soon as practicable 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and in accordance 
with all applicable law, convey to the District all right, title, and 
interest in and to the transferred water distribution facilities. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—
(1) DISTRICT.—
(A) FINDING.—Congress finds that the District has com-
pleted the obligation of the District to repay the capital 
costs of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project under the con-
tract. 
(B) NO CONSIDERATION REQUIRED.—The District shall 
not be required to provide additional consideration for the
H. R. 3443—2
conveyance of the transferred water distribution facilities 
under subsection (a). 
(2) ELECTRIC
CUSTOMERS.—The Western Area Power 
Administration shall continue to include the unpaid portion 
of the transferred facilities in its annual power repayment 
studies for the Loveland Area Projects until such facilities 
are repaid in accordance with the laws and policies regarding 
repayment of investment in effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(c) NO
EFFECT
ON
OBLIGATIONS
AND
RIGHTS.—Except as 
expressly provided in this Act, nothing in this Act affects or modifies 
the obligations and rights of the District under the contract, 
including the obligation of the District to make payments required 
under the contract. 
SEC. 3. LIABILITY. 
Except as otherwise provided by law, effective on the date 
of conveyance of the transferred water distribution facilities under 
this Act, the United States shall not be liable for damages of 
any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence based 
on any prior ownership or operation by the United States of the 
transferred water distribution facilities. 
SEC. 4. EFFECT. 
Any actions or activities undertaken by the Secretary under 
this Act shall not affect, impact, or create any additional burdens 
or obligations on the New Consolidated Lower Boulder Reservoir 
and Ditch Company or the New Coal Ridge Ditch Company in 
the full exercise of their rights to water, water rights, or real 
property rights or in the full exercise of their rights to utilize 
facilities affected by this Act. 
SEC. 5. REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If the transferred water distribution facilities 
have not been conveyed by the Secretary to the District by the 
date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, not 
later than 30 days after that date, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives 
a report that describes—
(1) the reasons for the failure to convey the transferred 
water distribution facilities; and 
(2) the schedule for completing the transfer as soon as 
practicable. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall continue to provide 
annual reports that provide the information described in subsection
H. R. 3443—3
(a) until the date on which the transferred water distribution facili-
ties are conveyed in accordance with this Act.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.