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History of Colorado 1Nater Law: Adaptation Ft Change Introduction Colorado water law rests on a founda- tion of 140 years of territorial and state law. These laws prove a basic proposition time and again. Water is a public resource, and water law evolves with the customs and values of the people. The story of Colorado water law is one receive an average of less than 12 inches of precipitation each year. In contrast, moun- tainous regions may receive more than 40 inches of precipitation annually. The tim- ing of precipitation also varies throughout the year. Rivers may flood with the rush of spring snowmelt, or dry up during hot Water is a limited resource, vital to Colorado. The Colorado census of 1861 reported slightly over 26,000 persons. By 2002, the state's population had grown to some 4.25 million. Still, natural limitations on the state's water resources have not changed. of adaptation and change. Territorial law that started out to promote mining and irrigation has turned into state law that serves a multitude of human and environ- mental needs. Water is a limited resource, vital to Colorado. The Colorado census of 1861 reported slightly over 26,000 persons. By 2002, the state's population had grown to some 4.25 million. Still, natural limita- The Colorado General Assembly The Colorado General Assembly is comprised of the House of Representatives (65 members> and the Senate (35 members). The Genersl Assembly meets in regular session from January to nrid-May each year°The House and Senate- Cotnmiuees on ..lgriculture and Natural Resources consider most water-related legislation. If state funding_is involved, the approl~~riations committees of the House and Senate also consider water-related bills. Follow the legislativeprocess and even listen. to hearii~lgs and floor proeezdings by visiting the General , Assembly's°Web site_at www.state.co.iis/govdir/statcleghtml Statute - A law enacted by a legislative body, such as the U.S. Congress or the Colorado General Assembly. Riparian. -Referring to land or habi- tat immediately adjacent to the stream channel. lions on the state's water resources have not changed. Many areas of Colorado receive little natural precipitation. The average yearly precipitation in Colorado is some 17 inch- es, although there is substantial variation across the state. For example, the San Luis Valley and parts of south central Colorado summers interrupted only by the occa- sional thunderstorm. In light of water's scarcity and value in this arid region, Colorado water law must guarantee security, assure reliability, and create flexibility in the development and protection of water resources. • Security resides in the law's ability to identify and protect water rights; • Reliability is assured by the system's capacity to administer and enforce water rights over time; and, • Flexibility allows water rights to be changed, transferred, sold or exchanged. This Citizen's Guide to is designed to provide a comprehensive and balanced overview of Colorado water law. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for legal or engi- neering advice regarding Colorado water law or water rights. Native American and Hispanic 1Nater Uses Water scarcity has always been a fact of life in the Americas. The relatively new sci- ence of paleohydrology (i.e., the archeo- logical study of ancient water structures) has uncovered ditches, reservoirs, and 4 C O L D R A D O F O U N D A T I O N F^ R W A T E R E D U C A T I D N The ~rsr diversion o(the Colorodo River, Rocky Mountcin Nations! Park.