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<br />002521 <br /> <br />Specia'J Report <br />Water and Public Opinion <br /> <br />\. <br /> <br />by Floyd Ciru'ii-- <br />Ciruli Associates <br /> <br />September 2000 <br /> <br />As Colorado:s population and housing has boomed in the last decade, public concern over the <br />adequacy of the region's water supply also has increased. Fueling concern is this summer's <br />hot, dry weather, Coloradans' personal experiences with water shortages and news stories <br />detailing drought conditions. (See news headlines at end of rep?rt.) <br /> <br />Two recent surveys, one conducted statewide and the other in Douglas County (the fastest- <br />growing and most depc:ndant en grour;dwat;:r), dlL;s:rat;; the urgency among the public for <br />water planning and investments. (See survey descriptions at end of report). <br /> <br />Major Findings of Surveys <br /> <br />The following are the major findings of the two surveys. <br /> <br />./ Water is an issue of growing concern for Coloradans. <br /> <br />./ The public believes the state has a responsibility to better plan for <br />drought and infrastructure development. <br /> <br />./ Residents strongly support state and local water cooperation, drought <br />planning and new investments. <br /> <br />./ Colorado River water in excess of the amount owed to California and <br />other downstream states should be used for Colorado's needs and not <br />sent out of state. <br /> <br />./ The public supports new water storage projects. <br /> <br />./ The public believes non-renewable aquifer water should be conserved. <br /> <br />./ Coloradans support the provision of water for environmental <br />enhancement and outdoor recreation. They oppose water resource <br />development that harms the environment. <br /> <br />More detailed results of the survey follow. <br /> <br />Ciruli Associates - 36 Steele St., Suite 101 - Denver, CO 80206 - PH (303) 399-3173 - FA.." (303) 399-3147 _ www.cirulLcom <br />