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t':>. " I. ~. l: f I"~ , , ~ f, .' DWB now serves almost one million customers. In 2010, it expects to be serving almost 1.7 million. The DWB projections of supply and demand foresee water shortages as a district threat by 1990. Their figures, however, are criticized in some sectors for recent rather abrupt upgrades. Reasons are not clearly stated why data for dry years with no restrictions on use of water do not appear to be in the data base projected. The fact remains that the OWB, with all of its real or alleged faults, has historically developed a record of judicious and farsighted planning in preparation for metropolitan demand -- a model that few systems like-situated in the nation can achieve. TRANSMOUNTAlN DIVERSION AND METRO DENVER In 1954-56 under the leadership of Mayor Nicholson, progress was made toward acceptance of diversion of water for Denver's use -- negotiation of the Blue River Decree which paved the way for the Blue River Diversion System. Completion of the Roberts Tunnel-Dillon Dam system, but which Blue River water is diverted across the Continental Divide into the South platte above Denver, followed in 1963. At present, the DWB claims some 256,000 acre-feet in the Eagle-Piney- Colorado region. The complicated array of water claims, counterclaims, and litigation surrounding Eagle-Piney-Colorado constitutes a formidable obstacle to the DWB making good its plans for diverting water from the area. But, the most significant roadblock to the Board's designs is tied to the Eagles Nest Wilderness in the Gore Range above Vail. In 1976 a 62,000 acre "Primitive Area" was transformed into the approximately 134,000 acre Eagles Nest Wilderness by Act of Congress. Prior to the Eagles Nest Wilderness and even now, the DWB proposes three principal water collection systems in the Eagles Nest Area: (1) East Gore Range Unit and (2) Eagle-Piney Unit -- both in the Roberts Tunnel Collection System -- and (3) Eagle-Colorado Collection System an extension of the Eagle-Piney Gravity System. If the Denver Water Board is to put its claims in the Wilderness to use, it must successfully pursue one of two options: Act of Congress or Presidential Decree. THE WESTERN SLOPE/ITS CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSMOUNTAlN DIVERSION The obstacles to future transmountain diversion are legion. Much of the opposition of Western Slope communities is apparently tied to instream flow reduction, increased salinity on the River and future water needs of Western Colorado. - 5 -