Exec Summary_11-15-04

• Title: Executive Summary
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Executive Summary

Executive Summary
generally preferred this more strongly than did other
interest groups.
^ Su~'~ir~~bly M~~t Agri~~lt~ar~l D~~n~r~d~: Also saw
a wide range of preferences in each basin. As
expected, agricultural interests typically preferred this
more strongly than did other interest groups.
^~ptimiae Exi~ting and Future W~t~r Supplies:
Relatively strong support for this objective was
expressed in each basin, with significant variability
between interest groups' perspectives from one basin
to another.
^ Erah~~~e Re~r~~ti~r~~l C~ppor~~n~ti~s: While
recognized as important, other water management
objectives generally received greater support, even
among recreational and environmental interests in
most basins.
^ Pr~vid~ f~r Errvir~nmental EnMar~c~~nent: A very
diverse range of support for this objective was
expressed, both within each basin and from basin to
basin. Environmental and recreational interests
typically ranked this as one of the top objectives
relative to the others.
^ Pr~r~~~~ ~~~fi-Eff~~ti~e~~~~: Generally saw a
moderate to low level of support relative to the other
objectives, suggesting that many Basin Roundtable
members value other objectives more highly than
costs.
^ Pr~tect Cultural ~Balue~; This objective saw a
moderate to low level of support in most basins,
though with wide variability, suggesting an interest in
maintaining cultural values but not necessarily at the
expense of some of the other objectives.
^ Pr~vid~ f~r ~p~r~ti~n~i Fl~xibilit~: This objective
was moderately valued in most basins, except in the
North Platte Basin, which, on average, valued it less
than all of the other objectives.
^ Camply with ~fl ,4pplicable Lavus, R~gul~atians,
and l~9ater Right~e The Basin Roundtables
acknowledged that all alternatives must squarely
meet this objective, and rather than serving as a basis
of comparison of alternatives, it instead represents a
minimum condition or "gate" that all alternatives must
successfully pass through to be considered for
implementation.
Together, these objectives and preferences guided the
identification and development of potential solutions to
Colorado's future water needs throughout the course of
SWSI.
Major Findings of SWSI
SWSI explored all aspects of Colorado's water use and
development on both a statewide and an individual basin
basis. As previously mentioned, SWSI focused on
in-basin issues first. Analysis of supply and demand at
the statewide level will be conducted in greater detail in
2005. Major findings identified during this first phase of
work are based on technical analyses and feedback
gathered through Basin Roundtable input. 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.
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 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.
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. ~upplies are not necessarily where demands
are; localized shortages exist, especially in
headwater areas, and compact entitlements in
some basins are not fully utilized.
Increased reliance on nonrenewable,
nontributary groundwater for permanent water
supply brings serious reliability and
sustainability concerns in some areas,
particularly along the Front Range.
~
$~ole'ri~ice Wo~e' $upplY Initia~ive
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