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Executiue Summary The purpose of this study, the Energy Development Water Needs Assessment, is to estimate the water demands needed to support the extraction and production of energy in four sectors in northwest Colorado (Figure ES-l, Study Area) including natural gas, coal, uranium, and oil shale. This study was conducted in conformance with the legislative intent specified in House Bill (HB) 05-1177 and supported by the Colorado and Yampa/White River Roundtables. These Roundtables are seeking to use data and information from this study, in conjunction with the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (S~USI) and other appropriate sources, to assist with the development of a basin-wide consumptive and nonconsumptive water supply needs assessment. Further, this study serves the purpose of providing data and information necessary to help plan for meeting those needs and using unappropriated waters where suitable. This investigation is supported through a grant obtained by the Colorado and Yampa/VVhite River Basin Roundtables, funded by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). Back round The abundance of natural resources and recent increases in exploration and production activities in northwest Colorado indicate there is significant potential for energy resource development. Recent studies have indicated that the Green River Formation in western Colorado may contain approximately 1.5 to 1.8 trillion barrels (bbl) of recoverable oil from shale. As a result of the recent energy development activities and the potential for continued development there is a need to assess the water-related impacts of energy resource development in northwestern Colorado, specifically within the Colorado, Yampa, and White River Basins (Figure ES-1). This study provides the foundation to meet the objectives of HB OS-1177 and the Colorado and Yampa/White River Roundtables by: • Addressing the keen and growing interest of Colorado citizens and decision-makers to identify and understand the potential impacts and trends of energy development in this region by quantifying the water use demands associated with energy development. • Recognizing the impacts of energy development extend beyond the confines of the subj ect study area in northwestern Colorado. Citizens throughout the State of Colorado and western region of the United States understand the energy resources in northwestern Colorado are part of a global energy perspective. ~+~ ES-1