PUB00105

• Year: 1999
• Title: Conference Proceedings: 24th Annual Gunnison Water Workshop
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Description: Theme of the workshop was Garden of Dreams v. High-Desert Reality
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

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The Role of Conservancy Districts in Managing Our Waters

This presentation provides some personal observations and opinions regarding the role
of water conservancy districts in managing Colorado's water resources today and in
the future. Given the non-scientific nature of the toptc, the author feels at liberty to
ask (and answer) questions such as: What is a conservancy district? How do we
defme "water resources management"? Are we meeting our water resources
management goals? And lastly, how do water conservancy districts fit into the
equation?

Background

In 1937 the Colorado General Assembly passed the Water Conservancy Act, allowing
for the formation of conservancy dtstricts statewide. Today, there are over 45
individual conservancy districts in the state of Colorado, covering nearly every major
drainage area in the state, as well as numerous minor basins. The Water Conservancy
Act established that conservancy districts are a form of local government with taxing
authority, and are to be govemed by directors appointed by the appropriate district
court. (The statute also has a provision allowing for the election of board directors).
The Act summarizes the legislature's intent, Le. that the Conservancy Act furthers the
state's policy regarding water conservation. Conservancy districts are to provide for
the conservation of the water resources of the state for the greatest beneficial use of
water within the state and:

. Indirectly benefit all industries of the state.
. Indirectly benefit the state of Colorado.
. Directly benefit municipalities by providing adequate supplies of water for domestic
use.
. Directly benefit lands to be irrigated from works to be constructed.
. Directly benefit lands now under irrigation.

The Act also declares that the development, use, and conservation of water within this
state is inextricably tied to the development and construction of works as defmed in
the statute.

Conservancy districts are one of many Colorado entities that have an interest in water.
An abbreviated list of these includes water conservation districts, water courts,
regional water authorities, state agencies, irrigation districts, municipal providers,
water user associations, water supply and sanitation districts, and groundwater
districts.