Board Meeting

• Description: January 28-29,2013 Board Meeting Agenda
• Date: 1/29/2013
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Meeting

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The non - consumptive recreational use of water is a critical statewide economic driver in Colorado —
especially in the headwater communities. The construction of the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park is an
Important and appropriate use of state funds that will enhance summer tourism to the region, create
jobs, and enhance the recreation opportunities available in a popular, developed BLM recreational site.
This reach of the Upper Colorado River is well known to boaters across the west for the reliable late
summer flows provided by releases from upstream reservoirs bound for farmers in the Grand Valley.
The IBWs December 2010 letter to Governors Ritter and Hickenlooper reaffirmed the intent of the
1177 process to be inclusive of rural, recreation economies by opening with this statement:
"In order to ensure a water future for Colorado that continues our quality of life, our system
of water allocation should be guided and supported by a comprehensive framework that
will marshal ever - scarcer government resources In a manner that supports economic
growth; protects our environment; provides for municipal, agricultural, and industrial
needs; and supports rural, recreation, and ecotourism-bosed economies."
The Gore Canyon Whitewater Park application submitted by Grand County Is the ideal opportunity for
the CWCB to demonstrate that the CWCB is fulfilling the intent of the Colorado Legislature as stated by
the IBCC to "marshal ever - scarcer government resources in a manner that supports economic
growth—for rural, recreation and ecatourism-based economies."
Grand County has answered many questions about the project and helped CWCB staff understand the
extraordinary investment of over $5,000,000 by this small headwater community of 14,000 people to
the health of Colorado's rivers. Grand County has spent these significant resources to protect, mitigate
and restore the environmental impacts created by a long history of water diversion projects in the .
Colorado River headwaters.
As part of the extensive negotiations with Denver Water, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
and over 35 west slope water providers, Grand County has taken a leadership role to advocate for the
health of the rivers and a carefully balanced approach to resolving water disputes In the headwaters in
ways that provide multiple benefits. For example, Grand County has partnered with Denver Water to
provide up to 3,500 acre feet of water to the CWCB In -Stream Flow program through releases of water
Into the Fraser River and from Williams Fork Reservoir. This water will be released during low flow
periods to preserve and improve flows on the Colorado River including the recreational use of the water
as it flows through the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park. Using firming project values of $13,000 /af, about
$45M worth of water was added to the CWCB ISF program through this cooperative effort.
Support of the rural, recreational economy through development of the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park
at Pumphouse Is another small yet important part of these collaborative agreements with water
providers on the east and west slope. A number of organizations including Denver Water and the
Colorado River District submitted letters of support for the grant to be approved.
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