Colorado took a major step last week to protect wetlands and streams by finalizing rules for a new state-run permitting program. The new ‘dredge-and-fill’ rules address a gap by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision two years ago, which drastically shrunk the number of waterways eligible for federal protections. The ruling left millions of acres of wetlands and miles of streams nationwide vulnerable to pollution. Under the new rules, businesses or landowners must obtain a state permit to dig ditches or fill wetlands that no longer qualify for federal protection. … New Mexico passed similar legislation this year and its environment department expects to hold a rulemaking hearing next summer.