S1_11-15-04

• Basin: Statewide
• Title: SWSI Phase 1 Report - Section 1 Introduction
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Final Report

Section 1
Introduction
1.3 Water Institutions
1.3.1 State Water Institutions
The ~1~IC8 is appointed by the governor and formulates
policy with respect to water development programs. The
board also develops and designates floodplains,
provides water project construction funds, supports the
Office of Water Conservation and Drought Planning,
acquires and manages all instream flow rights for the
state, and assists in compact administration. The CWCB
lies within Colorado's Division of Water Resources
(DWR).
e~ ~~,
~~'
~ Aiding in the protection and development of the waters of
the state for the benefit of the present and future
inhabitants of the state
^ Gathering data and information to achieve greater
utilization of the waters of the state
^ Establishing policies to address state water supply
issues
Identifying and recommending water development
projects to the General Assembly
The DNR administers programs dealing with water,
forests, parks, wildlife, minerals, and development of a
state resource policy. It also coordinates all natural
resource activities.
The ~~I~r~d~ VVfildlif~ ~ommi~~eon is appointed by the
Governor, supported by the CDOW, and is responsible
for wildlife management, including the acquisition of
water necessary for wildlife purposes. The commission is
also responsible for the preservation or conservation of
wildlife, assessing mitigation of impacts on fish and
wildlife caused by development, and coordination with
other state agencies in the acquisition of instream flow
rights.
The Colorado Department ~f Publi~ H~alth ~nd
Environment (CDPHE) also plays an important role in
state water management. The Water Quality Control
Commission (WQCC), part of CDPHE, is appointed by
the Governor to establish policy and set standards with
respect to surface and groundwater quality. The Water
Quality Control Division (WQCD), on the other hand, is
responsible for the enforcement of these regulations, as
well as certifying all wastewater treatment operators.
The ~olorado Water Resources and Pow~r
D~v~lopmentAuthority (CWRPDA) is appointed by the
governor as an independent authority to initiate, acquire,
construct, and operate water projects. It has the authority
to finance projects through the issuance of revenue
bonds and administers a revolving loan fund for
wastewater treatment plant construction.
lN~t~r ~~nser~~ncy Distri~fi~, authorized in the 1937
Water Conservancy Act, are political subdivisions with
power to levy property tax to build and maintain water
storage and distributions projects and to lease or sell
water. There are 46 conservancy districts in Colorado.
These districts should not be confused with Water
Conservation Districts, however, which among other
things survey existing water resources and take actions
to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water for
present and future use.
Other important state government surface water entities
include:
^ Stat~ Engin~er - overall responsibility for
management of state surface waters, tributary
groundwater, and diversions
^ Division Engine~rs - act under the supervision of
the State Engineer to enforce water rights and water
distribution under those rights
^ Wat~r Judge~ - appointed by the Colorado Supreme
Court to hear all water cases within their respective
water divisions
^ Wat~r Refer~~s - work for the water courts and
judges, and investigate and rule on water rights (their
rulings may be appealed by a water judge)
Key state groundwater agencies include:
^ S#.~te Groundwater ~~mmissi~r~ - establishes rules
for designated groundwater basins
^ Stat~ Engir~e~r - carries out the decisions of the
Groundwater Commission and issues well permits
^ Lac~l ~r~undw~Y~r f~~nag~r~~nt Qi~tric~ - made
up of water users who may regulate the irrigation
wells in their districts (but may not issue permits)
~
$~ole'ri~ice Wo~e' $upplY Initia~ive
~~
S:\REPORT\WORD PROCESSING\REPORT\S1 11-7-04.DOC ~ -~J