PROJ00357

• Contract/PO #: C153383
• Contractor Name: Grand Mesa Water Conservancy District
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• County: Delta
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

I

I.
I

I

I

I
I

I

I
I.
I

I

I
I

I

I
I.
I
I

.

.

CHAPTER II
THE DISTRICT

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

Construction of the Grand Mesa Project has long

residents, western slope interests in Colorado, and

and local interests have contributed toward the

investigations.

been advocated by local
State officials. State
cost of the Project

Through the action of local people, the Grand Mesa Water Conservancy
District was organized April 10, 1961, under provisions of the Colorado Water
Conservancy Act of 1937. District boundaries contain an area measuring 170
square miles including the communities of Cedaredge, Eckert, Orchard City, and
Cory, and are shown in Figure I-I.

Under the Water Conservancy Act, water conservancy districts can be

formed to "provide for the conservation of water use in Colorado for the

direct and indirect benefit of the public, industries, municipalities, and

irrigation water users by providing adequate and timely water supplies and

1
stabilizing the flow of streams." To accomplish this end, the District holds

the authority to buy, sell or lease water rights, construct and operate

facilities, condemn private property by power of eminent domain, and contract

with government for construction, operation and maintenance of project

facilities. Financing can be accomplished by special assessment, mill levy on

property tax and issuance of bonds.

The 1982 assessed valuation of the District was $18,735,100. Financing

for District operations is presently accomplished by an assessment levy of

0.51 mills. Financing for the Grand Mesa Project can take several forms. The

bulk of the project costs will be paid by revenues from hydropower sale and

water user contracts. Additional funding, if necessary, may come from general

1 .
G. E. Radosevich, K.C. Nobe, D. Allardice,
Administration of Colorado Water Law:
Publications, Ft. Collins, pp. 161.

and C. Kirkwood, "Evolution and
1876-1976"; Water Resource

-12-