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<br />Ot'\1~Ol <br />U to. 11 \'1 ! <br /> <br />However, when water is still in the stream, it is not owned by any in- <br /> <br />dividual or anyone interest group. Prior to the time water is diverted <br /> <br />from a stream, there is nothing to be bought and sold, and thus people <br /> <br />who value instream uses of water have no way to express their desires <br /> <br />in a market system. Under these circumstances, public (i.e., governmental) <br /> <br />intervention is necessary to recognize these values, which are often re- <br /> <br />ferred to as "public interest" values. <br /> <br />For example, government intervention <br /> <br />has been necessary to protect the "public interest" value in high qual- <br /> <br />ity air, simply because the market imposes no penalty for degradation <br /> <br />of the resource. <br /> <br />Future Demands for Water <br /> <br />Projections of future demand for water are the final factor needed <br /> <br />to understand the context of Colorado water issues. The anticipated <br /> <br />demands are a function of (1) economic forces, (2) existing public policie s, <br /> <br />and (3) growing awareness of "public interest" values. <br /> <br />As to the first of these, it is often said that water does not flow <br /> <br />downhill in Colorado, but rather uphill towards money. Although frequently <br /> <br />said in jest, this observation captures the reality of the mark~t forces <br /> <br />that will shape the future development of the state's remaining water <br /> <br />supplies as long as the present water rights system is the major mechanism <br /> <br />for the allocation of water. Municipalities, particularly along the <br /> <br />front range, and energy developments, primarily on the West Slope, will <br /> <br />be the driving forces behind increases in water consumption, because <br /> <br />only they have the economic ability to develop new water rights or <br /> <br />acquire existing rights. <br /> <br />It is clear that Front Range communities will grow in the future. <br /> <br />However, neither the magnitude of their water demands, nor the specific <br /> <br />'1 <br />