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<br />ThE ColoRAdo DnouGln MiTiGATio:.. ANd RESPONSE PlA'
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<br />EXECUTivE SUMMARY
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<br />Drought is a natural yet unpredictable occurrence in Colorado, Colorado weather does not provide for a
<br />consistent, dependable water supply throughout the year across the state, With Colorado's semiarid and
<br />variable climate there will always be concern for water availability within the state.
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<br />The Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan was developed to provide an effective and systematic means
<br />for the State of Colorado to reduce the impacts of water shortages over the short or long term, The plan outlines a
<br />mechanism for coordinated drought monitoring, impact assessment, response to emergency drought problems,
<br />and mitigation of long term drought impacts. The plan does not create a new government entity to deal with
<br />drought, but provides a means for coordinating the efforts of public and private entities that would be called upon to
<br />deal with drought impacts.
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<br />There are four components of the plan: Monitoring, Assessment, Response, and Mitigation. Monitoring is ongoing
<br />and accomplished by quarterly meetings of the Water Availability Task Force (WATF), This task force is comprised
<br />of Colorado's water supply specialists from state, local and federal governments, as well as experts in climatology
<br />and weather forecasting. This task force monitors snowpack, precipitation, reservoir storage, and streamflow and
<br />provides a forum for synthesizing and interpreting water availability information, When the WATF determines
<br />drought conditions are reaching significant levels, the Governor's staff and cabinet notifies the Governor and
<br />recommends activation of the plan,
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<br />When the plan is activated, the first step is impact assessment. Assessment begins with activation of the relevant
<br />Impact Task Forces (ITFs), These task forces convene to determine impacts within specific sectors which effect
<br />the environment and economy, Impact Task Forces include Municipal Water, Wildfire Protection, Agricultural
<br />Industry, Tourism, Wildlife, Economic Impacts, Energy Loss, and Health.
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<br />Assessment coordination is handled by the Review and Reporting Task Force (R&RTF), This task force is
<br />comprised of directors from DNR and DoLA, and chairpersons of the WATF and the Impact Task Forces. They
<br />review reports from the WATF and ITFs, aggregate assessments and projections, evaluate overall conditions,
<br />develop recommendations for drought response, and make timely reports to leadership, the media, the response
<br />agencies, and others,
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<br />The response process consists of several lead state agencies and an Interagency Coordinating Group (ICG).
<br />The plan designates lead agencies depending on the situation, The ICG is comprised of senior management
<br />representatives from lead response agencies, The ICG ensures the coordination of drought response activities.
<br />Additionally, the ICG reviews unmet needs identified by task forces and lead agencies, and identifies and
<br />recommends the means to meet those needs. The ICG coordinates with the Executive Branch and the State
<br />Legislature and determines when its own deactivation should occur.
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<br />Drought mitigation is an ongoing activity in Colorado through emergency preparedness planning and evolving
<br />water resources policy and management. The Colorado Natural Hazards Mitigation Council addresses mitigation
<br />actions and opportunities through working committees comprised of volunteers and professionals, The Drought
<br />Mitigation Committee includes members of the Water Availability Task Force (WATF), the chairpersons
<br />of the Impact Task Forces, and other interested parties and serves as a forum to address drought issues on an
<br />ongoing basis, before droughts occur. The plan lists additional recommendations, with associated lead agencies,
<br />to mitigate drought impacts.
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<br />The plan is organized into two chapters: one that addresses the background and need for drought planning in
<br />Colorado and another that describes the plan process and long-term drought mitigation. Responsibilities of the
<br />Impact Task Forces and the response lead agencies are described. Appendices compile references to existing
<br />drought relief programs, Internet resources, local-level drought plans, and contacts for local government outreach
<br />and feedback,
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<br />JANUARY 2001
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<br />PAGE J
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