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

accessible, and are therefore not closely accountable.
Government entities--both state and local--should take greater
respons ibi li ty to make their processes access ible and accoun-
table.

One reason for the mystique is the fact that Colorado's

system is so decentral ized. As discussed earlier, Colorado's

unique and diverse issues are addressed through a seemingly

complex set of agencies. Those interested in water resource

development issues need to be aware of the "big picture" of how

water policy is developed and implemented in this state.

Another reason for the mystique is that many of the policies
and procedures of state and local entities are unwritten. One
explanation for this is a lack of funding. Many agencies are so
overburdened with the ongoing pressures of day-to-day business
that time and staff are simply not available to document much of
the background of how and why decisions are made and, more impor-
tantly, the policies that are common threads wi thin such deci-
sions. As a result, members of the general public without a
background in water policy issues are often frustrated when they
attempt to glean basic information. This leads to the perception
that policy is controlled by the "water buffalos".

One potent ial solut ion may be for agencies to produce pos i-

tion and discussion papers and policy statements. For example,

on a state level, the Department of Natural Resources can issue

position documents, which summarize ongoing poli.ci.es ,,(1<1 pas i-

tions of the Department and its Divisions. These documents can

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