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DITORM Water Research Informs the Dialog Reagan M. Waskom Colorado Water Resources Research Institute f we have learned anything from the on -going ef- forts of the Colorado Water Conservation Board's Statewide Water Supply Investigation, it is that signifi- cant water supply problems loom on the near horizon for Colorado. The magnitude and complexity of these problems will require creative approaches, open dialog and our best thinking to resolve. Water research re- mains a vital aspect of addressing the many challenges we face in Colorado. While good science is only one of the tools that must be utilized, research -based infor- mation provides an objective platform from which we can enter into negotiation, policy, and dispute resolu- tion regarding water resources. Colorado State University recently hosted a Water Dialogue on December 13, entitled "Creating and Sustaining Constructive Conversations about Water." The meeting focused on how we can best sustain con- structive dialogs about the future of water supplies in Colorado. Participants discussed both the history and the current efforts to resolve Colorado water issues, with an eye on the newly created Roundtables. Facul- ty from higher education outlined how their scholarly activities potentially inform the process. It was agreed that both the Roundtable and Interbasin Compact Committee process initiated by HB 1177 will necessar- ily rely on good science, good data, and a fair measure of good will. HB 1177 Roundtable members are a recognized source of expertise that will be critical to the success of the process. In this edition of Colorado Water, Elizabeth McVicker, a South Platte Roundtable member, offers her perspective on the HB 1177 process, as well as a look at how her basin Roundtable has progressed. We will accept newsletter submissions by other Round- table and IBCC members as this process unfolds. One of the primary roles of CWRRI is to help focus and coordinate efforts of higher education in respond- ing to the information needs of both the public and the professional water community. Through the sustained efforts of Dr. Robert Ward, various University faculty and a committed water community in Colorado, the Institute has managed to fulfill its role in spite of a static federal budget and no direct funding from the state. In the past, the Institute has been able to offer a research competition open to faculty at all of the institutions of higher education in Colorado. Due to dwindling state and federal funds available for the research competition, we are currently only able to of- fer a competition for annual graduate student fellow- ship to engage in high priority water research topics relevant to Colorado. This past year, CWRRI had three outstanding gradu- ate student fellows. Kathleen DeJong of the Colo- rado School of Mines has been working with Bob Siegrist on understanding pathways of organic waste- water contaminants in the hydrologic cycle. Jenni- fer Thorvaldson has worked with James Pritchett of Colorado State University on estimating the economic impact on rural Colorado communities as agricultural irrigation water is transferred to meet urban demands. Julia Keedy has been working with Pepe Salas and the Colorado River District on hydrologic analysis and modeling of the upper Colorado River system. This year CWRRI will be able to fund just two graduate research fellows, Kathleen DeJong of the Colorado School of Mines and Jenny Thorvaldson of Colorado State University who will will continue the projects begun last year, pending approval of funding from the USGS. The CWRRI is authorized by the Colorado Legisla- ture every ten years; our current authorization will expire at the end of 2006. We are moving forward to obtain reauthorization during this legislative session, and hope to have the support of the water community in this process. As our readers are aware, Professor Robert Ward retired as the Director of CWRRI and the CSU Water Center in December of 2005. At his retirement cel- ebration held on December 13, Robert's many contri- butions to Colorado State University and the state of Colorado were noted by his friends and colleagues. Among the legacies Dr. Ward left at CSU was a genu- ine desire to connect the resources of higher education to the information needs of water managers and deci- sion makers in Colorado. As Interim Director, I plan to remain on this course and look forward to serving you in this capacity. Please call or email me if I can be of any assistance or if you have input on water research needs.