LEG00046

• Bill Number: HJR04-1014
• Year: 2004
• Title: Concerning the recognition of the 125th anniversity of the creation of water commissioners and water districts
• Legislation - Doc Type: Other CWCB Related Bills - Passed

WHEREAS, In rural Colorado, residents personally know and
professionally respect their local water commissioners; and

WHEREAS, George Anderson, of DeBeque, Colorado, served as
Colorado's longest-tenured water commissioner and perhaps the
longest -serving state employee of any kind, having served the water users
on Roan Creek, Water District 70, Water Division 5, from 1937 until 1992,
a total of 55 years; and

WHEREAS, Anderson took over the administration on Roan Creek from
his grandfather and is said to have "run" the creek as a boy with his
grandfather via a horse and buggy; and

WHEREAS, In Water District 33, Water Division 7, from 1934 until
1999, water administration on the La Plata River was conducted by 2 water
commissioners, Edward C. Kennedy and his son Russell Kennedy; and

WHEREAS, For a total of 65 years, the Kennedy family helped the state
of Colorado meet its obligations under the river compact with the state of
New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, The number of water districts and water commissioners has
increased from the original 10 on February 19, 1879, to 78 water districts,
employing the services ofI20 men and women, on February 19,2004; and

WHEREAS, The cumulative experience and service of the currently
employed water commissioners is more than 1,300 years; and

WHEREAS, Without the presence of our state's dedicated water
commissioners, Colorado's most precious asset, water, would potentially be
diverted by those without rightful authority to do so and, thereby, injure
those water users whose livelihood is dependent on their right to
beneficially use the waters of the great state of Colorado; now, therefore,

PAGE 3-HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 04-1014