WSP01445

• File Number: 8050.100
• Description: Section D General Statewide Issues - State Policies - General
• State: CO
• Date: 1/1/1999
• Author: Colorado Farm Bureau
• Title: Agricultural Water Policy Development - Reference Materials - Colorado Water Development Study-1999 Update
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

...reab to Water Supply Development
Sen'ral threats (0 cxisung water supplies or dcnloping nl'W supphes
were Idennficd by water rem-idees in the 1996 Colorado \'('ater ~ccds
Survey. .-\ factor which IS se(.'n as a threat to one agency may be
perceived as an opportunity to anmher.

. Unpredtcrabiliry of weather-related or catastrophic cnms
. Addnional federal and state cnnronmcmal regulations
. Degradation of water source quality
. Dnwdown of aqUifer water Icn~Is
. Lack of reser.oll' storage space
. Restrictions on water use due (0 mrersrart' compact rcqUJrcmcms
. Exponanon of water from the \'\'cstern Slope to the From Range
. l'nsustainablc growth
. Reduction of ft.'rum flows due to conversion of irrigation use to
domestic use .:.

Colorado Fann Bureau
Recommendations for Water .
Development Polices
In the dcn'lopmcm of Colorado's water
resources certain policies should be
followed as a gUide when pursuing the
water deyel(lpmcnt opportunities.

1. The State of Colorado should take
aggressIn.' acunn 10 de\'clopmg ItS water
sources.
.., Prolect the prior appropriation system.
J. PrOleCI Colorado's mterstate water
compact entitlements.
-l.. Protection of exisung water rights
'\,' when mterbasin water transfers occur.
5. Allow the free market system to work in
Ihe pricing of water. .:.

Patential SOtatewide Water Development Opportunities
In ordl'r for the Slate of Colorado to meet future water demands, water pobcy makers, users and managers should
consider a mix of s('n~Tal potcnnal opportunities.

I. Deyelop cooperative waler resource plannmg processes for local, regional and state agencies.
2. Deyelop alremanyes for further funding, both ponte and public, for waler project denlopment.
.\. Denlop unappropnated supplies, . \t least 450,000 acre-feet han been Identified as new deyelopablc surface waler
supplies.
4. Purchase of or lease senior water rights from the agricultural sector for 11&1 use.
5. Encourage conseryation and carry out programs to educate the pubhc and water USl'r entities about the Importance of
waler efficiency and the Imporr.ance of water resource dc\'(:lopmem to the slate's economy.
6. Impro\'e irrigauon and transnussion effiCiency practices and upgrade exisnng \\'aler collection and dell\'ery systems.
7. De\'clop addltional water supplies by supporting large and small water projcCts, wastewater reuse, and groundwater
recharge programs.
8. Enhance and expand statewide computer datab.ascs and dl'Clslon support syslems to unprovc de\'e1opmcnt and
management of exisnng supplies. .:.

.

For Additienallnfonnation Contact:

__axoraco tm\
... Farm sureau \WI MONTGOMERY WATSON

Buford Rice, Execunn ,'ice Presidem
Colorado Farm Bureau
9177 Ea:H ~hneral Circle
Englcwood. Colorado 80112
Telephone: [phone]
F,,, (303) 7 ~?-7703
E-m.au: [e-mail]

Lloyd J. Gronrnng, PE., VICe PreSident
~tonrgometJ \X'atson
140 1 17th Street, Suite 600
Dem'cr, Color.ado 80202-1244
Telephone: [phone]
F,,, [phone]
E-mau: [e-mail]

.

January 1999