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Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Introduction <br /> These investigations are described in Section 3.2.4.3, Systems Integration Study Results <br /> of this report and in Appendix 7. <br /> The information provided in this report should be useful to local, state and federal <br /> officials and the general public in understanding the possibilities and limitations <br /> associated with cooperative water supply planning for the metro Denver region. The <br /> authors believe that the information provided in this report and the Executive Summary <br /> will be useful in the following ways: <br /> • As a background and educational document for state and local officials that may <br /> not be directly involved in water supply planning and development; <br /> • As a preliminary investigation for use by water providers in their evaluation of <br /> water supply opportunities; <br /> • As a reference document and point of departure for future investigations; and <br /> • As a reference document for other interested parties that could be involved in or <br /> impacted by the implementation of the subject water supply options (e.g. <br /> environmental organizations, western slope interests, federal and state permitting <br /> agencies). <br /> 1 .2. BACKGROUND <br /> In January of 1993, Governor Roy Romer and the Colorado Department of Natural <br /> Resources convened the first Colorado Water Convention. The Convention focused on <br /> issues related to Front Range water supply planning and interbasin transfers of water. <br /> The Governor voiced deep concerns about the heavy economic and social costs of"water <br /> supply planning through litigation." He cited the fact that over$80 million had been <br /> spent in unsuccessful litigation and permitting efforts by various water interests in the <br /> previous decade,including Two Forks,Union Park, AWDI and others. <br /> The Governor also spoke about concerns and controversy associated with transmountain <br /> diversions. Others emphasized the potential adverse effects of exports on local <br /> communities and their water supplies, water quality, water-based recreation and <br /> environmental values. Some participants spoke of the need for new legislative protection <br /> for basins of origin against further exports of water. <br /> Discussion at the Convention suggested that a cooperative approach to water supply <br /> planning, focusing on better use of already-developed water supply systems, may be <br /> needed; that only by being sensitive to multiple perspectives could workable ideas <br /> emerge; that further sacrifice on the part of West Slope, agricultural and environmental <br /> interests could not reasonably be expected until the metro Denver area had first "put its <br /> own house in order"through more reliance on water conservation, reuse, conjunctive use, <br /> and other means of full and efficient utilization of existing systems. <br /> 2 <br /> Prepared for the Colorado Water Conservation Board,Colorado Department of Natural Resources by <br /> Hydrosphere Resource Consultants,1002 Walnut Street,Suite 200,Boulder,CO 80302 <br />