Laserfiche WebLink
<br />.' <br /> <br />increasing use of water for recreational purposes. The term <br />r <br /> <br />municipal use in the context of this statement includes <br /> <br />ind\\s trial use. Much of the water being used today in Colo":~do <br /> <br />cities was originally decreed for agricultural purposes. It was <br /> <br />either condemned or purchased by the cities. Virtually, all <br /> <br />future municipal increases in water usage will come about ,,': <br /> <br />..' <br />,-'1C <br /> <br />expDllse of the agricultural economy. Agriculture is a ma:ior <br /> <br />bu:;incss in Colorado and accounts for it very significant 1=~;::t.ion <br /> <br />of toe state t s economy. W":'1en vie speak therefore of supper t.i.:".g <br /> <br />a much larger urban populiJ.tion, He must realize that we wi],:" De <br /> <br />slowly destroying an agricultural and rural society in favor of <br /> <br />an industrial and urban society. This process, while it appears <br /> <br />to be economically desirable at this time, must eventually face <br /> <br />,a point of, diminishing returns, and perhaps an undesirable change <br /> <br />in our way of life. The process however, is taking place. <br /> <br />T'" <br />.<.... <br /> <br />the present trend continues, over 90% of our population will be <br /> <br />residing in large urban complexes wi thin the next thirty ye2.r s. <br /> <br />While the dollar is not the only factor which influences <br /> <br />the availability of water supplies, it is perhaps the most impor- <br /> <br />. <br />,tant one. Fifteen or twenty years ago water rights for the <br /> <br />Colorado Big Thompson Project in northeastern Colorado could be <br /> <br />purchased for as low as thirty dollars per right. Today I doubt <br /> <br />that these rights can be purchased for less than $300.00. I <br /> <br />-6- <br /> <br />-....-~~_._- -..----.. <br />