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<br />Feasibility Study <br />Groundwater Management Subdistrict <br />ofthe <br />Central Colorado Water Conservancy District <br />Acquisition of Water Rights <br /> <br />mtroduction <br /> <br />Water conservancy districts were authorized by the Colorado Legislature under the Water <br />Conservancy Act of 1937. Water conservancy districts are formed for "the conservation of water <br />use for the direct and indirect benefits ofthe public, industries, municipalities, and irrigation <br />water users by providing adequate and timely water supplies and stabilizing the flow of streams." <br />(See Section 37-45-102 c.R.S.) To carry out these responsibilities, the Legislature provided <br />conservancy districts (and subdistricts) with the power to acquire and sell water rights, construct <br />and operate facilities, exercise eminent domain, levy taxes, and contract with the federal <br />government (See Sections 37-45-118 and 37-45-134 C.R.S.) <br /> <br />Districts and subdistricts are formed by public petition. After creation, the District Court <br />appoints a board of directors of not more than 15 directors from counties within the new district <br />or subdistrict. Currently, there are 46 water conservancy districts located in Colorado. Only two <br />subdistricts exist in the state - the Municipal Subdistrict ofthe Northern Colorado Water <br />Conservancy District, and Central's Groundwater Management Subdistrict. <br /> <br />Formation of the Subdistrict <br /> <br />The Groundwater Management Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District <br />(the Subdistrict) was formed on April 23, 1973, to provide an augmentation program for well <br />owners in the area. The need for augmentation was created by the Colorado Legislature through <br />the adoption of the Water Rights Determination and Administration Act of 1969. The 1969 Act <br />integrated groundwater users with the surface water users in the priority system. The act was <br />passed based on the recognition that pumping of junior alluvial groundwater wells caused a <br />depletion on surface flows that could be detrimental to prior, or senior, surface water rights. <br /> <br />Depletions caused by the pumping of alluvial (or tributary) wells must be replaced with <br />alternative sources of water (called augmentation water) at the proper location and time to offset <br />injury to senior water rights. This is accomplished through the creation of augmentation plans. <br />The Subdistrict obligation is to determine the amount of augmentation water needed for member <br />wells, propose a method of replacement, and acquire/develop such water supplies to make <br />replacement to senior water rights. <br /> <br />2 <br />