PUB00057

• Year: 1978
• Title: The Colorado Water Study Directions for the Future
• CWCB Section: Water Conservation & Drought Planning
• Author: EDO DNR
• Description: First publicatiom of the Colorado Water Study volumes
• Publications - Doc Type: Brochure

I

I

The third major water-consuming use is irrigated agriculture.
In contrast to municipal and energy conversion demands, which are a
function of the willingness of cities and energy companies to develop
or acquire the necessary water supplies, the demand for water in order
to increase irrigated acreage will be almost entirely a function of
the state's long-standing policy of support for Federal irrigation
projects. The reason for this is that irrigated agriculture cannot
finance the development of significant amounts of additional water
except in the High Plains areas, where ground water is being mined.
Therefore, Federal reclamation projects represent the best way of
maintaining or significantly increasing the amount of irrigated acreage
in the state. However, the future of such projects has been clouded
by possible changes in Federal water policies, such as the proposed
state cost-sharing requirement for states. Thus, the extent to which
additional water will be made available for irrigated agriculture is
unclear.

I

I

I

I

I

The concerns and objectives which underlie the state's policy of
support for irrigation projects are many and diverse. First, the state
desires to strengthen and sustain the irrigated agriculture component
of its economy. There is concern that any significant reduction in
the contribution which irrigated agriculture makes to the state's
economy will have adverse effects. In contrast to other states, in
which one or two sectors account for most economic activity, each of
five sectors in Colorado (agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, mining,
and commerce) contribute more than $l billion annually to the state's
gross product. The maintenance of such a diverse and "balanced" state
economy is seen as an important goal, with the preservation of irri-
gated agriculture being viewed as one way to achieve that goal.
Second, many people have a strong interest in the maintenance and
enhancement of irrigated agriculture due to the social values which
they associate with a rural agriculture lifestyle. Many view the
maintenance of irrigated agriculture as a primary means of strengthen-
ing rural communities and providing opportunities in many of the non-
metropolitan areas of the state. Finally, others value the open
space and scenic qualities of irrigated farmland.

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Instream Uses

I

Another factor which will influence the future demands placed on
the state's water resources is the rapidly growing interest in non-
consumptive, or instream, uses of water. Recent trends, projected
population growth, and anticipated increases in leisure time and
disposable income strongly suggest that the demand for non-consumptive
uses will continue to grow for the foreseeable future and will consti-
tute an important future demand on the state's water resources.

I

I

While the present water rights system does not, as discussed
above, account for the values which non-consumptive uses reflect

I

I

9