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Weather Modification Permit Program

You must have a permit to modify the weather in Colorado. Permits are issued for specific projects, and the person in control of the project must be qualified. Permits are for 5 consecutive years and are renewable. The permit fee is $100 plus a 2% commercial fee. Applications should use Form WM-1 (qualifications) and Form WM-2 (project details) to apply. Applications should be submitted at least 45 days before before the beginning of the project. A public notice of intent to modify the weather must be published and a public hearing is required.


Public Notice of Intent
The legal notice of intent to modify the weather must indicate the:
  • Sponsor
  • Purpose
  • Primary target area
  • General area which might be affected
  • Expected duration
  • Intended effect - where complete details are available
  • Time and place of the public hearing
The legal notice must be published in at least one official county newspaper of general circulation in the target area county and in all adjacent counties. Publication shall be a minimum of at least 2 consecutive weekly legal notices with not less than 1 week intervening between the first publication and the last publication.
Public Hearing
The public hearing shall not be held more than 1 week following completion of publication of the notice of intent. At the public hearing, the permit applicant must demonstrate:
Qualifications
The person in control of the project must meet at least one of the following qualifications based on experience, education, or certification:
  • 8 years professional experience in the weather modification field in research or operations, including at least 3 years as project director
  • BS in Engineering, Mathematics or Physical Sciences + 3 years experience OR BS in Meteorology or Engineering (which includes, or is in addition to, 25 semester hours of Meteorology) + 2 years experience
  • Certification as a Weather Modification Manager or Operator by the Weather Modification Association
Financial Responsibility
Proof of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by:

  • Corporate surety bond
  • Liability insurance with a $1,000,000 minimum
  • Licensed to do business in Colorado
Operational Plan
A complete operational plan includes the following elements:

  • Name and address of the project sponsor
  • Name and address of the person in control of the project
  • Statement of objectives
  • Nature of the intended operation
  • Map of the proposed operating area
  • Target areaArea that might be affected 
  • Expected effect on the environment and method of determining and evaluating same
  • Other detailed information as required
Permit Requirements [Sections 36-20-112(3)(a-h), CRS]
Information provided in the Operational Plan and testimony at the public hearing must show the project:

  • is reasonably expected to benefit the people in the area in which the operation will be conducted or benefit the people of the state of Colorado
  • is scientifically and technically feasible if it is a commercial project
  • does not involve a high degree of risk of substantial harm to land, people, health, safety, property, or the environmentis designed to include adequate safeguards to prevent substantial damage to land, water rights, people, health, safety, or to the environment
  • will not adversely affect another project
  • is designed to minimize risk and maximize scientific gains or economic benefits to the residents of the area or the state.
Safeguards
Safeguards may be incorporated into a permit based on the following criteria:
  • Atmospheric conditions
  • Notification of agencies (CWCB, CDOT, and Wildlife)
  • Suspension criteria
  • Snow water content limits
  • Avalanche forecasts