PROJ00192

• Contract/PO #: C153316
• Contractor Name: Winter Park Water and Sanitation District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Grand
• Bill Number: SB 77-35
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

I

I
I
I
I
I

WATER RIGHTS IN THE STUDY AREA

I
I
I
I
I
I

The foregoing di!icussion descrIbes the. general princi.ples of water
rights administration i.n Colorado as they have evolved through the
years. The degree to which these principles are enforced varies
within the State. In the highly urbanized areas on the east slope
administration is strict because of the intense competition for water
among the large number of users, many of which are municipalities
having water rights decreed for year-round use and for a variety of
purposes, In those parts of Colorado where the streams have not been
fully appropriated, and where runoff normally exceeds demand,
administration is less formal. In some cases there is relatively
little administration and the operation of the stream system is governed
primarily by the goodwill and understanding that exists among the
various water users. This results, in many cases, in a more efficient
use of the water than would be obtained if water laws and adminis-
trative regulations were strictly enforced.

I
I
I
I
I
I
I

There have been few periods where appropriators of water from the

Colorado River were required to reduce their diversions. This situation

can be expected to change, however, as the demand for water increases

due to development of energy resources, increased water qual ity

regulation by the federal government and the change of water rights

from irrigation to municipal, industrial and other year-round purposes.

Each augmentation plan approved by the water court becomes a guide for

administration of water rights by the State Engineer. Many of these

augmentation plans contain elaborate stipulations as to time, amount

and place of diversion, and type and extent of usage. As the number

of augmentation plans increase, the need for increasingly complex and

detailed administration also increases. As a result, water rights

which had not previously been administered by the State Engineer become

subject to administration.

Another factor which is bringing about stricter administration of water
rights within the State of Colorado is the creation and operation of the
Colorado Water Data Bank, The Colorado Water Data Bank was initiated

Iv-6