WSP10590

• File Number: 8056
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 11/1/1979
• Author: US DOC
• Title: High and Dry - Drought in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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DROUGHT MANAGEMENT IN COLORADO:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

During the winter of 1976-77, it became increasin91y clear that Colorado
was in the throes of severe drought. Upon this realization, Governor,
Richard D. Larran, in tandem with various high-level State administrators and
legislators, designed and implemented a drought response mechanism which would
utilize the combined resources of the federal, State, and local governmental
entities within the State of Colorado.

The two major purposes of this report are:

. to document the most s i gnifi cant aspects of the development and
management of Colorado's Statewide drought response mechanism; and

. to offer recommendat ions for the development and management of
future drought response mechanisms.

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 Physical Impacts of the Drought in Colorado

. Precipitation levels for the 1976-77 winter season (October through
March) indicated the driest winter since 1931.

. Record low flows were recorded at two-thirds of the checkpoints on
major Colorado rivers during the 1977 water year (October 1976
through September 1977).

1.2 Economic Impacts of the Drought in Colorado

. Revenue losses to Colorado ski resort communities were estimated at
$78.6 million in 1977.

. Short water supplies forced agricultralists to incur higher crop
production costs aggravating a trend of declining net annual farm
incomes.

. Short water supplies forced numerous municipalities to impose water
use restrictions. Denver water consumption dropped about 20
percent during the summer of 1977 as a result of restrictions.

1.3 Federal Aid

. Over $110 mi 11 ion in federa 1 drought ai d was di spensed to agri-
culturalists and municipalities in Colorado.

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