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options. Colorado's mountain communities will have seen the state's high~st growth rates on a petcentagebasis~as-people move to tnese areasfofthe recreaJicfhal and~environmeiJ.tal amenities. Localized water supply shortages will be a challenge in these headwater areas. I . usual" . Even though I speak with diverse groups, I consistently hear the following about "business as SO years from now: Statewide we will have competing uses for a limited water supply. We will have to make trade-offs in order to balance our state's need for municipal and industrial (M&I), agricultural, energy, and environmental/recreational uses of water. Climate change may also add a new level of complexity and uncertainty to water planning. The Eastern Plains will see significant reductions in agriculture and this will adversely ""++0""+ +ko ro.".;^-n'C" o""...,,,~,,. .........rI '''''''1r n+l;.f'.ct. "D..." n_rI ,..1...,," n__...._......nh......n f._ ......",..1"'10_ U.L.........""" 1.,11,'"' 1.""'5.1'-'.u ~ "",",V.l.lV.l.U.] u..l.lU "YUJ V-L 1.1.1."". .L.Iuy u..1.lU U.l] app.1.Va""JH.",~ LV VVQL\..Il transfers will be the primary means of meeting water supply needs. The Front-Range will have a large urban population stretching from Fort Collins to Pueblo, and these land-use decisions will guide many of Colorado's future water supply . . This approach comes from my discussions around the state over the past year. When I am out talking with different communities, I consistently ask them to think about what Colorado will look like in 50 years. What will the Eastern Plains, the Front-Range, the mountain headwaters, the West Slope, North Park, and the San Luis Valley look like? How will these regions change? SO years from now, what will form the economic base in each region and what will the environment look like? I ask Coloradans to assume 'business as usual" scenario. Then I ask them if this is the Colorado they would like to see. is, then we are on the right track. If not, then we should be doing something different. the Ifthis We began this discussion at the October 2007 mcc meeting (see October 2007 mcc Meeting Notes). In order to move forward, I propose that the mcc articulate different visions for what Colorado will look like in SO years and how meeting our water supply challenges fit into those VISIons. At the January 2008 mcc meeting that was cancelled, I had hoped to delve into a discussion on your visions for Colorado's water supply future. In order to keep this important effort moving forward, I would like for each of you to consider the questions posed in this memo and come to the March mcc meeting prepared to discuss them. Subject: Visions for eolorado's Water Supply Future Date January Harris D. Sherman, Executive Director ofDNR and Director of Compact Negotiations IS, 2007 From: To IBCC Members Blb