Programs/Projects
Programs and Projects
The Colorado River District grant program funds projects that protect, enhance or develop water resources in the 15-county area covered by the District. This includes all watersheds in north- and central- western Colorado, except the San Juan River basin.
Colorado River Basin water supplies are available for contract through the Colorado River District. The Colorado River supplies are available from Wolford Mountain Reservoir located on Muddy Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River near Kremmling and from contracted supplies through the District from Ruedi Reservoir located on the Fryingpan River, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.
First conceived in 1990, the enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir is designed to provide additional water for endangered fish and human uses in the Yampa River Basin. Several public and private agencies are combining efforts on the enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir.
Wolford Mountain Reservoir, owned and operated by the Colorado River District, provides water for Colorado's future, enhanced wetlands and recreational opportunities.
2011 Annual Water Seminar
"Seeking Balance Under Imbalanced Conditions"
Supply and Demand on an Imbalanced Colorado River
Annual Colorado River District Water Seminars:2010 "Minding the Gap - West Slope and Denver Water Talk Through a Water Supply Negotiation"For most of the last century and all this one, the West Slope and Denver Water have been contesting the manner and means of how the waters of the Colorado River can be moved from west to east to serve the metropolitan area.
For the last four years, a coalition of West Slope water users and Denver Water have been talking through a mediated agreement that will set a new tone and era of cooperation of how water is diverted to the East Slope while offering protections to the West Slope. This seminar provides an opportunity to learn about this work-in-progress.
Newly confirmed U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior Anne Castle addresses how changes in how the Obama administration will address water issues in the Colorado River Basin. Expert discussion panel explores the dust storms that hit the Colorado snowpack this winter, affecting runoff and reservoir operations.
Can Colorado develop in-state agreements to ensure water is available for West Slope uses in the future? Or will it all go to the rapidly growing Front Range simple because it needs the water now? How should Colorado deal with the last increment of the Colorado River that can be developed?
Future energy development and its demand on water supplies in Western Colorado was explored. Looming questions, especially for oil shale development, concern water supply and water quality especially given the fact that Colorado faces limits on how much water it can develop from the Colorado River system and energy needs compete with population growth, agriculture, recreation and the environment.
Focus was on the Seven States' shortages agreement forged earlier this year among Arizona, California, Nevada (the Lower Basin states) and Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico (the Upper Basin states).
