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<br />0,.151f' <br /> <br />38. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />COLORADO WATER CONGRESS' <br />RECOMMENDED PROGRAM <br />FOR THE <br />IMPROVEMENT AND CLARIFICATION <br />OF THE <br />WATER CODES OF COLORADO <br /> <br />'i; <br /> <br />General Statement <br /> <br />As a semi-arid state, Colorado's economic growth and de- <br />velopment are limited by the amount of the water supplies which can <br />be beneficially utilized within her borders. <br /> <br />., <br /> <br />Since mining was the first activity which developed within the <br />State and water was required in the working of the claims, the basic <br />principles applicable to possession of property were applied to water. <br />Hence, the miners provided for its appropriation by diversion and <br />use and for recognition and protection of the rights which were thus <br />claimed. Beginning with those principles more than a century ago, <br />we have a body of law which was designed to determine and protect <br />the rights to the use of surface water only. In spite of numerous <br />efforts, Colorado has virtually nothing which provides for the deter- <br />mination, protection nor administration of rights to the recovery of <br />water from beneath the surface of the ground. <br /> <br />Although Colorado's economy can neither grow nor even survive <br />without dependable water supplies, she continues to operate under a <br />body of law which was applicable to the circumstances existing 100 <br />years ago. Those laws do not recognize the common source and co- <br />mingling of surface and ground water supplies nor the complex inter- <br />relationships which arise from their use. <br /> <br />., <br /> <br />Since the close of World War II, Colorado has experienced <br />tremendous growth of urban population; expansion of industry; in- <br />flux of military and defense establishments and an increasing agri- <br />cultural commodity production. All of the changes have increased <br />the need of, and competition for, the already limited supplies of <br />available water. Within the forseeable future, there is every indi- <br />cation that there can be nothing but increasing need and more severe <br />competition. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Therefore, it is urgent that a program of study be initiated <br />to design effective improvements and clarifications in the water code <br />of the State of Colorado. <br />