ColoradoBasinWaterSupplyandNeedsReport

• Basin Roundtable: Colorado
• Title: Water Supply & Needs Report for the Colorado Basin
• Date: 5/1/2006
• Basin Roundtables - Doc Type: Needs Assessment Documents

Section 1
Introduction
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met. This is the most optimistic scenario, but there is
uncertainty, and hurdles to overcome. Therefore, the
mission of the state with respect to meeting 80 percent of
our M&I water needs by 2030 should be:

Following the lead of local water suppliers, the state
will monitor long-term water needs, provide technical
and financial assistance to put the necessary plans,
projects and programs in place to meet those needs,
and foster cooperation to avoid being forced to make
trade-offs that would otherwise harm Colorado's
environment, lifestyle, culture, and economy.

The goals of this mission are to:

1. Follow the lead of local water suppliers. In order
for the CWCB to follow, local water suppliers must
not only lead, but also must share information and be
inclusive so that state leaders can confidently make
decisions and provide the support required to ensure
the fourth goal can be met.

2. Monitor long-term water needs. One of the major
hurdles faced was the difficulty in collecting water use
and water planning data. Our information about
agricultural water use comes from statistics, water
commissioner records, and aerial and satellite
imagery that demonstrate that over time growing
patterns and crops change over geographic areas.
The state has even less information to share that is
provided on a regular basis about M&I water use and
demand. We must develop a better system that still
protects water rights holders.

3. Provide technical and financial assistance to put
the necessary plans, projects, and programs in
place to meet those needs. The Drought
Assessment that was conducted by the CWCB
highlights that most water suppliers want technical
and financial assistance from the state. SWSI
provided for some categorization among water users
so that we can pinpoint the type of help and
assistance needed.

4. Foster cooperation to avoid being forced to make
trade-offs that would otherwise harm Colorado's
environment, lifestyle, culture and economy.
SWSI makes it clear that future plans include drying
up farmland to provide water for cities, towns,
communities, and industries. While there will be the

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inevitable reductions of irrigated acres as
development occurs on these lands, some of the
additional projected losses of irrigated lands can be
reduced if viable alternatives are available to M&I
providers. Options exist that could reduce the need to
dry up additional irrigated agricultural lands, but
cooperation is essential and the state may be able to
help level the field so that "win-win" options can be
chosen. This must be done in a way that enhances
our environment and protects recreational resources.

There are numerous issues that should be explored in
this dialogue:

. Competition among water providers for the same
sou rces of water.

. The trade-offs between in-basin agricultural transfers
and new water supply development.

. How to create win-win scenarios where the basin or
area of origin and the area of beneficial use both
derive sufficient benefits from a proposed water
development project.

. How to collaborate on the implementation of the
Identified Projects and Processes, and further
development of the options for meeting future needs.

. Identify options to allow for more use of non-
permanent transfers of water from agriculture.

1.5.2 The 20 Percent M&I Gap,

Agricultural Shortages, and
Environmental and Recreational

Enhancements

Another major achievement of SWSI was the
identification of an inevitable gap in water supply that
exists between current M&I water supply planning and
the projected need for water. In addition, localized
agricultural shortages have been identified in all basins
and significant environmental and recreational needs
were identified. Articulating the CWCB's role in helping to
narrow and eventually eliminate this gap is much trickier
- both institutionally and politically.

It is this gap that must be filled with "new" water so to
speak. If water suppliers had the water to meet the
demand represented by this gap, there would be no gap.

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