9369 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9369
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: 12th & 13th Annual Colorado Water Workshop.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Western State College of Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

Moreover, the Colorado water policy framework is adapted to
the variety of conditions and problems that exist in this state.
The state has varying conditions of over use, abundent supply,
economic conditions and interstate relationships. To dictate a
water plan through a single document or agency would ignore
Colorado's geographic, hydrologic, economic, social and environ-
mental di vers i ty. Simply stated, what is appropr iate and ef f i-
cient in one area may not be so in another. Therefore, Colorado
has developed a layering of local, regional and state agencies
adapted to these divergent conditions.

In discussing Colorado's water policy, and whether this state
needs a "state water plan", it is important to remain cognizant
of the basic constitutional foundation of the prior appropriation
doctrine. That foundation is the right of the individual--a real
property right--to put water to beneficial use. The system is
decentralized. There is no single agency or official overseeing
water use and development on a statewide basis. Although the
right to appropriate water is subject to some regulation, the
state cannot dictate to the individual whether, or how, or when,
or where water will be used. If an appropriator has the finan-
cial ability to develop a project, he is essentially free to do
so. As long as water is being used in priority and in a reaso- f
nably efficient manner, the state has no direct authority.
Therefoce, basic decisions as to the allocation and use of water
resources must be made by individual appropriators, not by the
state. This is a legal "fact of life" that many who urge the
adoption of a "state water plan" ignore.

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