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Feasibility Study Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Acquisition of Water Rights Introduction Water conservancy districts were authorized by the Colorado Legislature under the Water Conservancy Act of 1937. Water conservancy districts are formed for "the conservation of water use for the direct and indirect benefits of the public, industries, municipalities, and irrigation water users by providing adequate and timely water supplies and stabilizing the flow of streams." (See Section 37-45-102 C.R.S.) To carry out these responsibilities, the Legislature provided conservancy districts (and subdistricts) with the power to acquire and sell water rights, construct and operate facilities, exercise eminent domain, levy taxes, and contract with the federal government (See Sections 37-45-118 and 37-45-134 C.R.S.). Districts and subdistricts are formed by public petition. After creation, the District Court appoints a board of directors of not more than 15 directors from counties within the new district or subdistrict. Currently, there are 46 water conservancy districts located in Colorado. Only three subdistricts exist in the state - the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and Central's Groundwater Management Subdistrict and Well Augmentation Subdistrict. Formation of the Subdistrict The Well Augmentation Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (the Subdistrict) was formed on January 8, 2004, to provide an augmentation program for well owners in the area. Most of these new members had been members of the augmentation plan formerly operated by the Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte, Inc. (GASP). During the past two years, the Colorado Supreme Court ruling in Case 00-SA-211 (discussed on page 4) severely restricted the authority of the State Engineer to approve augmentation plans, such as GASP, and led to the need for new organizations to develop and administer such plans. Central's Well Augmentation Subdistrict was one of several new augmentation groups created. The need for augmentation was created by the Colorado Legislature through the adoption of the Water Rights Determination and Administration Act of 1969. The 1969 Act integrated groundwater users with surface water users in the priority system. The act was passed based on the recognition that pumping of junior alluvial groundwater wells caused depletions to surface flows that could be detrimental to prior, or senior, surface water rights.