WSP01562

• File Number: 8200.700
• Description: Colorado River
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 7/3/1991
• Author: Colorado Forum
• Title: A Synopsis: The Upper Colorado River Basin - Colorado's Water Interests
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

,Ef
' ,
I',.
"

"

July 1, 1991

NOTE: This synopsis and the
accompanying summary of chapters of
the 1982 edition of The Upper
Colorado River Basin and Colorado's
Water Interests is prepared for the
COLORADO FORUM's July 3, 1991
meeting, exclusively. - hsr

@/

A SYNOPSIS: The Upper Colorado River Basin

Colorado's Water Interests

THE COLORADO FORUM AND WATER -- AN INTRODUCTION

The history of water controversy in Colorado virtually dates back to
the first two settlers who decided to call the new land "home" in close
proximi ty to each other. And the history of misinformation, hyperbole,
and erroneous "facts" on water matters in Colorado is similarly long.

<,
~, "

Today, a particular point of water contention is the potential demand
which both Western Colorado and the Front Range expect to place on the
Upper Colorado River Basin -- the last remaining major source of
surface water in our booming but water-short state.

~
"
,\
(
,

Curiously, for all the fire and thunder historically generated by water
debates in Colorado, no organization had seen fit to tie together in
reasonably objective fashion within one report the various water issues
and concerns affecting the Upper Colorado River.

As a result, the COLORADO FORUM in February 1982 issued its first draft
of a study entitled "The Upper Colorado River Basin and Colorado's
Water Interests" to fill this gap. In its study, the FORUM sought to
capsulize the most significant issues surrounding the River, including
the various arguments and considerations traditionally voiced by the
many parties to the perennial water disputes.

Through personal interviews with scores of Colorado water experts and
lay people, the FORUM was able to arrive at a body of water-related
facts which must condition and delimit future debate on water
questions. Addi tionally, the FORUM proposed various options and
alternatives which must be considered as Coloradoans move to solve
these problems.

A large number of public officials who deal daily in either direct or
indirect ways with water policies, laws and/or management were provided
with the initial 400 copies of the Report. Prior to that over fifty
persons who have been or are involved intimately in the water questions
the Report addresses provided unlimited resource information as well as
serving as reviewers for manuscript drafts prior to printing.

~2..C)C. '7C1::>

/7P,