7777

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7777
• Author: Ward, R. C.
• Title: Proceedings 1993 Colorado Water Convention, Front Range Water Alternatives and Transfer of Water from One Area of the State to Another, January 4-5, 1993, Denver, Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

1993 Colorado Water Convention

OPPOR'rONITIES FOR FUTtJRE WATER SUPPLY FOR THE SUBURBS -
THORNTON'S PERSPECTrvE

Mayor Margaret Carpenter
Thornton

Good morning. Let me first congratulate Governor Romer, the
Colorado Water Conservation Board, Ken Salazar, and each of you who
worked on putting together this Water Conference. In speaking with
Ken several days ago, I was told the objective of these two days is to
conduct a thorough, lively discussion of key water issues in Colorado.
Judging from the agenda, as well as from the distinguished nature of
the assembled participants, I would say that your objective will
certainly be met.

As I sat down to prepare my remarks for this session ... my mind
recalled more than a dozen years of experiences and discussions ...
endless meetings ... committees .. councils ... workshops that have
been devoted to this topic. For all of us in this room, the subject
of water resources is exhilarating in its importance, and yet
exhausting in its lack of conclusive resolution.

Looking over the agenda, does anyone else get the feeling that we
have been here before?

I'm reminded of the endless hours and the millions of dollars
spent pursuing Two Forks the one water project that Metro
Denver "had to have" for its future ... but which is apparently
not to be.

I'm further reminded of Governor Lamm's Water Roundtable, which
precipitated numerous discussions among East and West Slope
interests and among water officials and the environmental
community, but didn't resolve the outstanding issues even though
it appeared resolution was close following the Boulder lock-in
meetings.

More recently, I remember the efforts of the so-called "Gang of
Ten," who agonized over the elusive topics of "metropolitan
cooperation" including "Front-Range water issues" for at least
five years with, I'm sure most participants would agree, minimal
success.

When I think about what it takes to develop long-term water
supplies, the word "challenging" readily comes to mind. If t~e,
dedication, and money produced water ... the Front Range would
definitely be flooded.

Unfortunately these distinguished efforts, in which I have been a
proud participant, have failed to produce a single drop of water.
Before I talk about why I think these efforts have failed, I'd like to
talk about the successes that Thornton and others have achieved.

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