WSPC05058

• File Number: 8040.950
• Description: Section D General Studies - General Water Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 7/25/1978
• Author: Unknown
• Title: Draft Publication for Water Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

001374

In addition to the publication of the above reports, the water

study will include a citizen participation program intended to elicit

public response and comment about the water study, and designed to

obtain public opinions as to the preferred alternatives.

It should be emphasized at the outset that this study will not

make recommendations regarding the future use and allocation of

Colorado's water resources, nor will it recommend changes in the

Constitution or the existing water rights system. Rather, the

study will portray the choices available to Colorado in the future

and describe administrative and budgetary devices, or changes in

law, which could be employed in the pursuit of any particular choice.

In short, the central purpose of the Colorado Water Study is to pro-

vide a foundation for thorough public consideration of the choices

and "directions for the future". Following dissemination of the

water study publications and completion of the citizen participation

program, and depending upon the public response to the water study,

comments concerning changes in the Colorado Constitution, statutes,

or administrative practice may be submitted to the Governor for prep-

aration of legislative recommendations. There is no prior committment

to the submission of such comments. It should be pointed out in

passing that almost any significant change in the way water is used

or allocated will require legislative action.

The Colorado Water Study is being coordinated with two related

water research efforts. At the request of the Water Resources Council,

the Colorado Department of Natural Resources is managing a five state

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