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
The CWCB's Drought & Water Supply Assessment was
conducted in the fall of 2002. The primary goal of the
study was to analyze and summarize information
gathered during the assessment that would provide
justification for initiatives that drive future resource
allocation to benefit local communities susceptible to
drought.
State water planners and managers had reason to
improve their understanding of drought and drought
impacts on the Colorado water user community, given
changing public perceptions, competing uses for water,
and the impacts of the current drought. For these
reasons, the CWCB undertook the Drought & Water
Supply Assessment to engage Colorado water users to:
^ Determine how prepared Colorado has been for
drought
^ Identify limitations, and related measures, to better
prepare us for future droughts
The major objective that has been identified for the state
to address with respect to Colorado's water users needs
is to improve water availability and reliability statewide,
which is not differentiated by water use or user. In fact,
all water users in all geographic regions identified a need
for improved water availability and reliability - including
water for domestic and municipal use, water for
agricultural use, water to support natural stream flows
and lake levels, water for firefighting, and water for
commercial and industrial use.
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Ma'or Ob'ective for State Water Policies
1 1
~ Improve water availability and reliability statewide
Areas of Practice to Achieve the Major Objective*
Improve public understanding and knowledge of state
water and water resource issues
- Support infrastructure needs of water users
- Support technical assistance needs of water users
* Based on data and opinions collected from Colorado's water
Related areas of practice that Colorado's water users
identified as needing state involvement, which will
address the major objective, include:
~~
^ Improving public understanding and knowledge of
state water and water resources issues
^ Supporting infrastructure needs of water users
^ Supporting technical assistance needs of water users
By addressing these three specific areas of practice, the
state can address the major objective of improving water
availability and reliability statewide.
1.6 Acknowledgements
SWSI is the product of the vision, commitment, and
dedication of countless Coloradans toward meeting the
state's future water needs. Governor Owens and the
Colorado Legislature provided strong direction and
support for moving the project forward. The DNR and its
Director, Russell George, gave continuous support to
SWSI. CWCB Board members are to be commended for
providing the foresight needed to undertake SWSI,
committing significant time in shaping and guiding the
process, and giving unwavering support for the Initiative.
The Director of CWCB, Rod Kuharich, likewise
committed his time and support for the project and
dedicated staff resources toward ensuring SWSI's
success. CWCB's Project Manager, Rick Brown, was
consistently the "voice of SWSI," devoting much of his
energy to meeting the significant demands of the project,
and working hard to truly understand the issues and
interests of Basin Roundtable members and the general
public.
The SWSI consultant team led by CDM was staffed as
follows: Project Director - Susan Morea; Technical
Director - Kelly DiNatale; Engineering Analysis - John
Rehring; Project Management- Nicole Rowan; Project
Facilitation - Paul Brown; Decision Science - Dan
Rodrigo; Water Supply Analysis - Gordon McCurry;
Demographics/Demands - Bill Davis; Public Relations -
Steve Coffin, GBSM; Data Analysis - Steven Malers,
Riverside Technology inc. and Erin Wilson, Leonard Rice
Consulting Water Engineers; Environmental Analysis -
Tom Pitts, Water Consult.
We are also grateful to the following CWCB staff who
helped produce this final report: Randy Seaholm, Dan
McAuliffe, Ray Alvarado, Dan Merriman, Steve Miller,
Andy Moore, Michelle Garrison, Mike Serlet, and Carolyn
Fritz.
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Sfvtewide Woter Supoly Initiofive
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