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7/07/90 The Colorado Drou/{ht Response Plan . Colorado Drought Response Plan . . I. Situation In recent years, Colorado has experienced serious and costly water shortages. These shortages have been the result of changing condklons In water supply and demand. Over the years, disequi- librium between supply and demand has developed because of Colorado's relatively arid climate and growing population. As population In- creases and as climate and conservation prac- tices fluctuate, a temporary diminishment In water supply can be disruptive to both urban and rural environments. Two consecutive years or more of significant reduction In preclpkatlon in Colorado will have serious and far reaching economic Im- pacts. When droughts occur, the State Is Impacted wkh a variety of ambiguous and complex problems, which, If identified and evaluated. can' be dealt with In a well organized and cost-efficient way. The most significant Impacts which typically con- front the State are related to such water Intensive actlvkles as: agriculture, wildfire protection, municipal usage, commerce, tourism and wildlife preservation. A reduction of electric power genera- tion and water qualky deterioration are also poten- tial problems. A systematic and timely application of IImked resources, when utilized on the basis of a clear un- derstanding of existing or potential Impacts, can reduce drought effects. Should drought intensify to the point where broad scale Impacts exceed the State's response capabllkles, an existing and effective State program for the reduction of drought Impacts will facilitate a request for federal assistance. II. Purpose The purpose of the Plan Is to provide an effective and systematic means for the State of Colorado to deal wkh emergency drought problems which may occur over the short or long term, III. Execution A. Concept To better enable Colorado's State governmental process to deal wkh the complexities of emergen- cy drought response management, an assess- ment system. has been established which is separate from the response system. Assessment and response, working in tandem, support and are subordinate to, the overall governmental process. The assessment system utilizes a broad range of Information sources, gathers and evaluates data, and provides for the delineation of the problem areas which cannot be met locally. The response system deals wkh those current and unmet needs that fall wkhin the State's capabllkles. If unmet needs become excessive or extra- ordinary; recommendations are made to the Governor for State legislative or federal assis- tance. To deal wkh unusuaUy complex emergency problems an Interagency Coordinating Group comprised of representatives of lead response agencies has been established. This group takes action to resolve Issues Internally when possible, and alternatively provides recommendations for further action to the Governor. These relatlon- 1