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Colorado Drought Plan Survey <br />1.0 Introduction <br />Colorado is a "headwaters" state and the water dilemma in is very complicated. In this region <br />competition between in- stream and off - stream users is growing and water rights are controversial. <br />Agriculture in our region is vulnerable to drought and there are shortages in municipal water supplies <br />during low flow periods. We are rapidly approaching maximum utilization of our water resources that are <br />controlled by the interstate compacts. During dry periods there will be increasing conflicts among urban, <br />agricultural, recreational and environmental uses of water. <br />More than once during the past century, people in virtually every river basin in Colorado have <br />experienced drought and its adverse impacts on public and private water supply systems. Even the high <br />elevation basins that normally receive abundant precipitation are at risk during severe droughts. <br />Furthermore, in many areas the state is experiencing significant population growth, the vulnerability of <br />public water systems to drought is increasing as water demands increase. <br />2.0 Purpose <br />The purpose of the survey was to determine the extent and level of drought planning in Colorado <br />by municipal and agricultural water providers. <br />3.0 Acknowledgements <br />In August 1999, William P. Stanton, Chief of the CWCB Conservation Planning Section, began <br />an informal telephone survey of several municipal water providers. The results showed only a few <br />Colorado communities have done any serious risk based drought assessment or drought mitigation <br />planning. Staff then expanded the survey to include all municipal water providers that provide 2,000 <br />acre -feet or more of treated water and selected agricultural water users. CWCB Conservation Planning <br />Section members Kathie Luckie and Joe Busto conducted the expanded survey. In all, 67 <br />municipalities, 3 water conservation districts and 44 water conservancy districts were contacted and <br />responded to the survey. <br />4.0 Methodology <br />The method of survey was to contact the various water management agencies by phone, fax, and <br />even mail in some cases. The questions asked in the survey were as follows: <br />• Have you done any drought planning? <br />• Do you have a master water supply plan? <br />• Do you have a water conservation plan? <br />• Have you done a hydrology study that considers the risk of drought? <br />• Do you have a drought response plan? <br />• Is there an ordinance that prescribes water conservation in times of drought? <br />• Can you send us a copy of the work you have done? <br />