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<br />POPULATION <br /> <br />1.07 The most significant factor affecting the demand for future <br /> <br /> <br />water supplies is population growth. Increases in population occur in <br /> <br /> <br />two ways--natural family growth and in-migratIon. HistorIcally, the <br /> <br /> <br />Denver metropolitan area has experienced population growth rates <br /> <br />higher than the national average. This was the result of high in- <br /> <br /> <br />migration reflectIng the rapid economic growth of the area. <br /> <br />1.08 Population forecasts used in the Draft EIS were provided by the <br /> <br /> <br />Denver Regional Council of Governments for the study demand area. The <br /> <br />forecasts were made in 1982 and were based on 1980 census information. <br /> <br /> <br />The forecasts predicted in-migration of 30,000 persons per year until <br /> <br /> <br />the year 2000 and then a gradual decline to zero persons per year In <br /> <br /> <br />2035. These in-migration rates have not materialized and recent <br /> <br /> <br />forecasts have projected less growth than was forecast in the 1982 <br /> <br /> <br />projection. Projections used in the Final EIS reflect the reduced <br /> <br /> <br />growth rate experienced since 1982. The projections indicate an <br /> <br />increase in the growth rate from the low levels of 1987 to historic <br /> <br />rates by 1990. After 1990, the growth rate Is projected to gradually <br /> <br /> <br />reduce untIl it equals the national growth rate. Figure 1-2 shows the <br /> <br /> <br />population projectIons published In the Draft EIS and the Final EIS. <br /> <br />WATER DEMAND AND SUPPLY <br /> <br />1.09 Future water needs for the Denver metropolItan area are based on <br /> <br /> <br />the population projections and the use rates experienced between 1974 <br /> <br />and 1982. The resulting water demand is shown in fIgure 1-3. The <br /> <br /> <br />supply available, also shown in figure 1-3, includes existing and some <br /> <br /> <br />new near term projects of the metropolitan suppliers and some <br /> <br />additIonal water that is availab1e from projects of others in the <br /> <br /> <br />region. The projected water shortage shown in figure 1-3 is based on <br /> <br /> <br />the assumption that current use rates will prevail; i.e., there will <br /> <br /> <br />be no future reduction in use rates from conservation measures <br /> <br />1-4 <br />