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<br />WHEREAS, The founders of the state of Colorado determined that a <br />water doctrine based on prior appropriation was better suited to Colorado's <br />semi-arid climate, since that doctrine held that the right to own and hold a <br />water right is based on use of water as a natural resource rather than based <br />on land ownership; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Colorado water commISSIOners are the stewards of <br />Colorado's most valuable and precious natural resource - its water - to the <br />benefit of all of Colorado's citizens and visitors; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Colorado became the first state to provide for the <br />distribution of water by public officials; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, The Colorado General Assembly, on February 19, 1879, <br />created the public service position of water commissioner and the first 10 <br />water districts; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, The Governor of the state of Colorado originally appointed <br />water commissioners to work in a particular water district; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Colorado Governor James Benton Grant, who served from <br />1883 to 1885, appointed several water commissioners to their posts to <br />ensure correct application of the proper and legal entitlements of water <br />usage; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, The duties and responsibilities of water commissioners <br />have evolved from the administration of mining and irrigation water rights <br />to_the.m:ersighLof.a1LdelLvery_oLwater-in_Colorado,_including_resel'Voirs <br />and ground water wells; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Due in part to the role of water commissioners, Colorado <br />leads the western states in water administration, use of new water <br />technology, and water management; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Water commissioners are relied upon by Colorado's water <br />attorneys and professional water engineers for their expertise and <br />knowledge of stream systems and water rights; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, The vocation of many water commissioners has become <br />their passion; and <br /> <br />PAGE 2-HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 04-1014 <br />