Front Range Water Council Response

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Memorandum To: Harris Sherman, Executive Director, DNR From: Front Range Water Council Date: February 26, 2008 Subject: Visions for Colorado's Water supply Future The following comments on the questions posed in your January 15, 2008 memorandum regarding "Visions for Colorado's Water Supply Future" are submitted on behalf of the Front Range Water Council. Council members include the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Springs Utilities, Aurora Water, the Pueblo Board of Water Works, Denver Water, and the Twin Lakes Reservoir and Canal Company. Individual comments may be submitted as a supplement thereto. Please keep in mind that these comments originate from, and are intended to provide the perspective of, Front Range transbasin diverters. As urged in your memorandum, an attempt was made to address the questions wearing a "statewide hat." L What will the different regions of Colorado look like in 50 years under the current approach to water supply? It may be counter productive to examine the issues from this perspective, as it tends to encourage a balkanization of interests rather than a statewide perspective driven by broader economic, social and environmental considerations. That said, the following observations are offered. A. Front Range: It is postulated that the Front Range may see the following: • There may be more conversions of ag water to municipal use (interruptible and firm), though this will primarily be due to: (i) urbanization and (ii) agriculture's desire to sell water for a variety of economic and demographic reasons. However, these transfers may be limited by available exchange capacity and the absence of delivery infrastructure. The demand for water along the Front Range will cause the market price for agricultural water to significantly increase, making it more attractive for agricultural water rights owners to sell their water rights. • In the South Platte Basin, irrigated agriculture will cease to exist in that portion of the basin upstream of the Kersey gage, including the major tributaries to the South Platte. • Addressing soil conservation and land management for large areas of previously irrigated land will become a more significant issue in the South Platte basin, especially during droughts. Salinity levels may increase and control strategies will need to be developed. • Enhanced conservation measures will be employed, including more water "reclamation" projects for both potable and nonpotable use.