Water Supply Reserve Account Criteria and Guidelines - Adopted

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COLORADO ~ WATER SUPPLY RESERVE ACCOUNT CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD AND INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM THE ACCOUNT BY THE COLORADO WATER CONSERV ATON BOARD DEPAl~Tlv1ENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PART 1 Background, Introduction, and Administration Back2round Colorado's growth and development as a state has always been intertwined with water. Wise management of this resource is both a trademark of our past and is vital for our future. Development and management of water is complex, controversial, and at times contentious. Over the last few decades decisions regarding water have become increasingly complex as Colorado has experienced both unprecedented population growth and a greater emphasis on multiple uses of this precious resource. Water users, water managers, governmental and non-governmental organization, and our citizens have worked hard to help ensure that their interests are addressed when making water resource management and development decisions. This dynamic has challenged us all to identify new approaches and collaborative solutions. Over the last few decades there have been significant efforts and many examples of successful programs to help address water resource management issues. As we look forward, we should draw upon the information and successes of the past as we strive to address future challenges and opportunities. In the last few years state leaders and state resource management agencies have been increasingly interested in helping ensure that Colorado has an adequate water supply for our citizens and the environment. In 2003 the Colorado General Assembly authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to implement the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI). The SWSI implemented a collaborative approach to water resource issues by establishing SWSI roundtables. Membership in these roundtables represented a broad range of water user interests. The SWSI focused on using a common technical basis for identifying and quantifying water needs and issues (the report can be viewed at http://cwcb.state.co.us/IMWD/PhaseIReport.htm. ). The SWSI put forth a "picture" of where Colorado may be by the year 2030and identified a number of important issues and questions regarding how that "picture" of Colorado fits with the values, objectives, and future goals we have for our state. SWSI identified 10 major findings and 8 recommendations which are summarized below. Water Supply Reserve Account Criteria and Guidelines - Adopted: October 18, 2006 1 of 16