Colorado State Water Plan 1974 ‎(Phase II)‎

• Year: 1974
• Title: Colorado State Water Plan
• CWCB Section: Agency-wide
• Publications - Doc Type: Historical

Introduction
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This Phase II Report--Legal and Institutional Considerations - summarizes
and evaluates the present legal and institutional framework underlying the
development, use, and management of water and related land resources in the
State of Colorado. In addition, this report also summarizes the major
organizational framework of local, State, and Federal agencies which have a
responsibility in the development and use of water resources in the State.
Finally, the report will identify some of the problems in State and Federal water
laws, policies, and administration, and suggest areas of future action.
AUTHORITY FOR REPORT
This report is authorized by the Water Resources Planning Act of 1965
(Public Law 89-80, 89th Congress), the Colorado River Project Act (Public
Law 90-537), and by the Federal Reclamation Laws (Act of June 17, 1902,
Stat. 388, and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto). In 1967,
amendments to the basic legislation provided for State participation and
cooperation in comprehensive water planning programs authorized in the Water
Resources Planning Act of 1965.
Authority was delegated to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to
make water resource investigations when the board was created by the Colorado
General Assembly in 1937. In 1967, the State assented to the provisions of the
Federal Water Resources Planning Act of 1965. Under this legislation, the
board was authorized, empowered, and directed to perform such acts as may
be necessary to the conduct and establishment of a comprehensive water planning
program.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The history of water resources development in Colorado extends back to
the irrigation systems of the Mesa Verde area. These systems were constructed
by Indians and predate the arrival of Europeans to the area. In 1787, Juan
Bautista de Anzi (or Anza), then governor of the Spanish Province of New Mexico,
sent a group of Spanish farmers to develop an irrigation system in collaboration
with the Jupe Tribe of the Comanche Indians. The irrigation project that this group
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