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~.ta~se_\lVJd~e_u pd.ate 6/~ COLORADO WATER TRUST The Colorado Water Trust (CWT) plays a unique and complementarv role in protecting Colorado's watc;- dependent natural heritage. CWT focuses on acquiring watcr rights for conservation purposes, and is the only active water trust operating outside of the Columbia River Basin. \Ve work statewide with partners such as the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), local watershed groups, land trusts, and other conservation groups. Most importantly, we work with willing water rights owners, who voluntarily participate in market-based transac- tions such as sales or donations. Top Priority OUf top priority is acquiring senior water rights for conservation benefits and assisting others with acquiring water rights for conservation benefits. Our primal)' mcthods arc transactional work and technical assistance. We work with the eWCB on transactions that will add senior water rights to the State's instream flow portfolio. We also cooperate with land trusts, providing technical assistance that helps protect water rights essential to conservation values protected through a conservation casement. In addition, CWT is \vorking with local \vatershed groups around the state plus conser- vation groups such as The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited to protect water rights that address habitat and stream flmv concerns. .I - -- Accomplishments Since hiring a full-time executive dreetor in January 2003, and building on the work that started in 2002. C\VT continues to mature. Examples of our reccnt accomplishments include: · CWT developed maps and stream lists that identify conservation priorities and concerns for con- servation groups, state agencies. and federal agencies in each of the major river basins. . CWT worked with the Colo- rado Coalition of Land Trusts and provided water rights language recommended for use in conservation easements. Many of Colorado's 39 land trusts now use this language. which means conservation casements arc an even stronger tool for protq:t- ing water-dependent conservation values. Please visit our website to view the maps. read the consen'a- tion easement language. and stay apprised of our \vork. . Our first donation to the C\VCB is under review, with final action expected in September. CWT is purchasing \vater rights that will be CWT is purchasing water rights that will be donated to the CWCB which will improve ' instream flow levels in Boulder Creek and the Blue River. donated to the CWCB. The senior rights will improve instream flow levels in Summit County's Boulder Creek and the Blue River. This is one of Colorado 's most visited and visible stretches of water. Boulder Creek is a self-sustained brook trout fishery and the Blue River is Gold Medal Water. This transaction is an excellent demonstration of how CWT can work with the CWCB to benetit Colorado '5 natural heritage. Our wcbsite will announce the completion of this transaction and all the useful details. Boulder Creek CWT is building on these successes. C\VT will continue 10 work closely with the land trust community helping make certain that water rights arc properly treated in evel)' aspect of a conservation easements transaction. Watershed groups around the state should expect to hear from CWT. \Vc will be offering assistance and asking for help as we pursue transactions that protect flow levels in stream segments across the state.