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<br />001350 <br /> <br />such plan. Over 90 projects have been built at a state cost of <br /> <br />$74.423.382. <br /> <br />In 1981. the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development <br /> <br />Authority was created to provide the state with the ability to <br /> <br />finance water projects through revenue bonds. However, the <br /> <br />lack of financially feasible projects has left the ~uthority <br /> <br />with little to do to date. <br /> <br />Along with those two financing programs. the Colorado <br /> <br />legislature has enacted provisions for state financial <br /> <br />participation through grants in federal cost Sharing and in <br /> <br />fish and wildlife mitigation in conjunction with water <br /> <br />development. <br /> <br />Nevertheless. water interests have been left in a condition <br /> <br />of unfulfilled turmoil. An unrealized goal of long standing is <br /> <br />to put all of the state's compact entitlements to beneficial <br /> <br />use in the interest of the state's economic future. The <br /> <br />frustration of not having that goal realized is often expressed <br /> <br />in lamentations over the lack of a state water. plan. <br /> <br />In the <br /> <br />continuing debate over whether or not a plan would lead us to <br /> <br />that goal. three water lawyers. all current or former members <br /> <br />of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. provide helpful <br /> <br />insights into why Colorado lacks a traditional water plan. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />-4- <br />