C.R.S. § 25-8-208

In addition to all other powers of the commission, the commission, pursuant to section 24-4-103 (6), C.R.S., shall have the authority to conduct emergency rule-making for the purpose of adopting an interim standard to apply for a specified period of time in place of an existing water quality standard. The commission shall hold emergency rule-making hearings to consider the adoption of such an interim standard whenever it finds, in its discretion, that the petitioner requesting such rule-making has established exigent circumstances which warrant the emergency action.