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<br />~ . <br /> <br />COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />721 State Centennial Building <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866-3441 <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />STATE OF COLORI\DO <br />- <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />APp~e~ Legislators <br />DalN ~ker <br /> <br />and Water Conservation Board <br /> <br />Roy Romer <br />Covernor <br />,. William McDonald <br />Director <br />David W. Walker <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />DATE: October 18, 1988 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Background Paper for Water Efficiency Discussion <br /> <br />Improving the efficiency of water use is commonly suggested <br />as a means for reducing the demand for water and thereby <br />postponing or decreasing the need for water development <br />projects. Reducing water consumption or diversion may also <br />decrease construction and operating costs, with resulting gains <br />in economic efficiencies. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Water conservation is not a new concept, nor have its <br />virtues and benefits been ignored in Colorado. The issue at <br />hand is whether there is an appropriate role for state <br />government to play in fostering the various approaches to water <br />conservation in Colorado. <br /> <br />To identify some choices, this memorandum will first <br />categorize water efficiency programs. It will describe <br />programs in some other western states. Finally, a set of <br />potential program elements for Colorado will be outlined to set <br />the stage for discussion. <br /> <br />ELEMENTS OF WATER CONSERVATION <br /> <br />Irriqation Water Conservation: The most common proposal in <br />this element is to reduce what is presumed to be excessive <br />application of irrigation water. Because about 90% of the <br />water consumed in Colorado is for agricultural production, it <br />is presumed that even modest gains would result in major <br />amounts available for other categories of use. From a state- <br />wide perspective that presumption has several flaws. Overall, <br />the state is not yet short of water, only limited <br />geographically. Further, under state law, a complex <br />distribution/allocation system has evolved based upon reuse of <br />return flows. In this regard, the General Assembly has <br />considered several proposals in recent sessions and has <br />. declined to make significant changes in the legal system. <br /> <br />8475E <br />