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
IJ 1111

Assembly to make informed decisions regarding the
management and use of Colorado's surface and
groundwater resources.

In many areas, local planning entities have completed
studies, identified projects, and are capable of
implementing those projects. SWSI documented and
summarized these identified projects or processes that
are in place to address future water needs. Where
entities need implementation assistance, SWSI
addressed planning and implementation needs, identified
projects for possible implementation, and developed
strategies for project implementation including potential
cooperative and collaborative efforts. For areas where
specific projects were not identified by water providers or
water users, SWSI relied on a stakeholder process. The
options developed by the SWSI stakeholder process
generally fall within the following categories:

. Conservation
. Agricultural transfers
. Reservoir storage
. Conjunctive use of alluvial or non-tributary
groundwater
. Water reuse
. Control of non-native phreatophytes (water
consuming plants)

By taking both a basin and statewide perspective, SWSI
has identified issues and water supply needs and
projects that may require coordination by more than one
planning entity or that may be beyond the capabilities of
a single entity. Through the SWSI effort, CWCB has
identified possible solutions to achieve a cooperative and
collaborative initiative. The Interbasin Compact Process
will build on this by further enhancing collaboration
among the river basins to develop implementable and
sustainable solutions.

1.3 Major Findings of SWSI

SWSI explored all aspects of Colorado's water use and
development on both a statewide and an individual basin
basis. SWSI focused on in-basin issues first; analyses of
supply and demand at the statewide level are being
conducted as part of Phase 2. Major findings identified
during the first phase of work are based on technical
analyses and feedback gathered through SWSI Basin
Roundtable input.

CDIVI

1-2

Even though some of these findings are readily apparent
to some, it was important that they be affirmed as part of
building a foundation and common understanding. Other
findings were determined and/or clarified through the
SWSI process. These findings are summarized below.

1. Significant increases in Colorado's population -
together with agricultural water needs and an
increased focus on recreational and
environmental uses - will intensify competition
for water.

2. Projects and water management planning
processes that local municipal and industrial
(M&I) providers are implementing or planning to
implement have the ability to meet about
80 percent of Colorado's M&I water needs
through 2030, under the most optimistic
scenario.

3 . To the extent that these identified M&I projects
and processes are not successfully
implemented, Colorado will see a significantly
greater reduction in irrigated agricultural lands
as M&I water providers seek additional
permanent transfers of agricultural water rights
to provide for the demands that would otherwise
have been met by specific projects and
processes.

4. Supplies are not necessarily where demands
are; localized shortages exist, especially in
headwater areas, and compact entitlements in
some basins are not fully utilized.

5. Increased reliance on nonrenewable, non-
tributary groundwater for permanent water
supply brings serious reliability and
sustainability concerns in some areas,
particularly along the Front Range.

6. In-basin solutions can help resolve the
remaining 20 percent gap between M&I supply
and demand, but there will be tradeoffs and
impacts on other uses - especially agriculture
and the environment.

7. Water conservation (beyond Level 1 ) will be
relied upon as a major tool for meeting future
M&I demands, but conservation alone cannot
meet all of Colorado's future M&I needs.

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