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Colorado Water Management The Bureau of Reclamation has shifted its priorities from building large water storage projects to promoting the more efficient use of existing water supplies, water management, dam safety and water quality protection. Early management of Colorado's water was primarily the domain of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Our state showed promise as a source of agricultural wealth, needing water to bring it to fruition. With the help of the Bureau, projects were developed and built to help establish agriculture. In addition, the Corps of Engineers built multi-purpose and flood control projects. These agencies and their engineers created the majority of early diversions and storage necessary to "green" this semi-arid state - a state which can experience periods of above normal precipitation, only to be plunged into drought. As time went on, privately funded projects became economically feasible and were also developed. Colorado is presently experiencing a major shift in managing its water resources as federal funds are being withdrawn. Many of the federally authorized projects not already Page 20 completed may not be built. Future water project development is now dependent on local, state or private funding and in the absence of federal money alternatives to traditional large projects are being examined. Management and the more efficient use of existing supplies are receiving greater attention. Non-structural approaches to water management such as pricing, metering, conservation measures, and water exchanges are gaining recognition as a means of increasing the amount of water available for use. The repair, maintenance and upgrading of inefficient water distribution systems that lose large amounts of water due to leakage is being considered as a cost effective way of increasing water supplies. Management also includes making already constructed storage available for use. Many older reservoirs in the state cannot be filled to capacity due to safety regulations. The repair and rehabilitation of these deteriorating dams would increase the storage capacity in the state significantly. While the construction of smaller storage projects may prove to be necessary, they should be cost effective and environmentally sound. Bond financing is available from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority but any proposed project must be evaluated for need, economic feasibility and environmental impacts before approval can be given for financing. In order to effectively manage the state's water resources there should be an acknowledgement of the interdependence of water quality and water quantity. The integrated management of ground and surface water is also important. As Colorado enters this new era of water management, cooperation among state agencies, water providers and water users is essential.