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<br />OOOli3P <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Many other statements illustrating the problem arising out <br /> <br /> <br />of application of the Winters doctrine could be cited. Suffice it <br /> <br />to say, however, that any legislation which purports to remove the <br />problems associated with application of the Winters doctrine <br />without injury to vested western water rights deserves careful <br />consideration and widespread support. <br />Colorado feels that it can take a relatively objective view <br />of the Indian water rights problem because of the excellent re- <br />lationship it enjoys with the two Colorado Indian tribes--the Ute <br /> <br />.... <br /> <br />Mountain Utes and the Southern Utes. These tribes are cooperating <br /> <br /> <br />with the state in sponsoring the construction of large scale recla- <br /> <br /> <br />mation projects in which Indians and non-Indians will share. <br /> <br />Typical of the attitude of the Indians in Colorado is the <br /> <br />statement of Chris Baker before the Colorado Water Conservation <br /> <br />Board at a meeting of that Board in Washington, D.C., on March 20, <br /> <br />1975. Mr. Baker said: <br /> <br />Mr. Chairman, members of the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board, my name is Chris Baker and I am Vice-Chairman of the <br />Southern Ute Indian Tribe. I have with me today Mr. Thomas <br />House, the Treasurer of the Ute Mountain Tribe. <br /> <br />This is the second time I have had an opportunity to <br />speak on behalf of the Animas-LaP1ata and the Dolores Water <br />Reclamation projects in Southwestern Colorado to this Board. <br />There is no question that the water projects will greatly <br />enhance the economy of the entire Four Corners area in <br />Colorado and New Mexico. This area of the San Juan Basin <br />is a land which is rich in natural resources, scenic beauty <br />and extraordinary potential for growth and development limited, <br />only by the pressing need to develop its water supplies. <br /> <br />2 <br />