The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) represents each major water basin, Denver and other state agencies in our joint effort to use water wisely and protect our water for future generations.

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Colorado's Water Plan
Colorado’s Water Plan sets forth strategies to meet our future needs through balanced policies and actions that all Coloradans and their elected officials can support. The plan attests to our citizens’ ability to organize around shared goals to preserve our water values of a productive economy, vibrant and sustainable cities, productive agriculture, a strong environment, and a robust recreation industry. Learn about the Water Plan in a quick fact sheet!

Colorado’s Water Plan alone does not relieve us of the inherent uncertainty of water scarcity, uncertain supplies, natural hazards, economic cycles, or population and economic growth. The plan requires implementation, leadership, and funding. Check out the letter sent to candidates for statewide office by the Interbasin Compact Committee.

You can also check-in on our state's progress in the 2017 Ripple Effects report. Or jump straight into Colorado's Water Plan to see where you can help prepare for Colorado's water future.

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Open Enrollment for the Colorado Water Loss Initiative (CWLI) The Colorado Water Loss Initiative (CWLI) is a comprehensive program of AWWA M36 water loss training and technical assistance for urban water systems across Colorado.  The AWWA M36 water audit methodology is recommended best practice in North America to support informed decision making for water loss control and revenue recovery.  Cost-effective water loss management reduces cost, increases revenue, serving the utility's bottom line and the rate-payer alike.   The program will include 4 work sessions spread out over a 2-year period, beginning Spring of 2019. Outcomes for participation include free training and technical assistance from national water loss experts, validated AWWA M36 water audit, and recommended next steps for water loss reduction and revenue recovery.  The CWLI is structured and funded for the largest 165 water systems, though smaller systems may be considered if space is available.  This program is being offered at no cost, and is eligible for drinking water system staff.  However, space is limited and enrollment will close when the available slots have been claimed.  The registration deadline is September 28th. You are encouraged to register soon to ensure your spot.  Please visit www.coloradowaterloss.org today to learn more and register your utility.

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30-Day Public Comment Period: State Drought Mitigation & Response Plan Update The CWCB is working to update the Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, which was last updated in 2013. The Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan (Plan) was developed to provide an effective and systematic means for the State of Colorado to reduce the impacts of water shortages over the short and long term.  The Plan outlines a mechanism for coordinated drought monitoring, impact assessment, response to emergency drought problems, and mitigation of long term drought impacts. There are three major components of the plan: mitigation, response and vulnerability assessment. The planning effort paralleled the update of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, a plan that will be seeking FEMA enhanced plan status in order to leverage more mitigation funding for Colorado. The Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan will be incorporated into Colorado’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan as a stand-alone appendix and will ultimately be adopted by the Governor through that affiliation. CWCB staff intends to bring the finalized, updated Plan to the CWCB Board at their September Board meeting for adoption. Please send comments to Taryn Finnessey at Taryn.Finnessey@state.co.us by August 24th.

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30-Day Public Comment Period: State Flood Mitigation Plan Update The CWCB is working to update the Colorado Flood Mitigation Plan, which was last updated in 2013. The Plan re-assesses the State’s flood risk and mitigation strategies and includes updates on implementation and progress toward meeting the Plan’s goals. Multiple state agencies are included in the plan preparation process through participation on the Flood Technical Assistance Partnership (Flood TAP). The Flood TAP also includes representation from local and federal agencies, including multi-agency coordination through the Army Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets program. The planning effort paralleled the update of the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, a plan that will be seeking FEMA enhanced plan status in order to leverage more mitigation funding for Colorado. The Flood Mitigation Plan will be incorporated into Colorado’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan as a stand-alone appendix and will ultimately be adopted by the Governor through that affiliation. CWCB staff intends to bring the finalized, updated Plan to the CWCB Board at their September Board meeting for adoption. Please send comments to Stephanie DiBetitto at stephanie.dibetitto@state.co.us by August 15th.

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Flood Threat Bulletin Now Available The Colorado Flood Threat Portal is now available. The portal provides: A daily assessment of flood potential around the state, issued at 11am each day from May through September. Statewide 24-hr Precipitation Map Daily Statewide Flood Threat Bulletin and Map 7-15 Day Flood Threat Outlook (updated Mondays and Thursdays) Also available on Twitter and Facebook. Questions? Contact Kevin Houck.

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Updated Climate Plan Available Gov. John Hickenlooper released an updated edition of the Colorado Climate Plan, a statewide set of policy recommendations and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to increase Colorado’s level of preparedness. The revised Plan reflects advances in the discussion on how best to address climate change at the state level as well as progress since the release of the initial plan in 2014; and wraps in the objectives contained in Gov. Hickenlooper’s executive order of July 2017 that committed the state to additional climate action. The plan can be found HERE. Public comments on the plan collected last fall and have been addressed and incorporated where appropriate. A summary of how those comments were addressed can be found HERE.

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Colorado's Water Plan Grant Application Available The Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the CWP’s Measurable Objectives or critical actions. The CWCB staff reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to modify the scope and budget of their project to better meet the CWP objectives in light of fund availability. CWCB staff will evaluate applications and recommend projects to the CWCB Board for final approval at its regularly scheduled Board meetings. More...

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The CWCB Confluence Newsletter is Out! The CWCB has a new e-newsletter which we're sending out after each CWCB Board meeting (every other month). It highlights the work of the CWCB Board and staff, the IBCC, the nine basin roundtables, partner organizations, and local efforts and events involving water across the state. It also has updates on Colorado's Water Plan implementation and important news and information for the Colorado water community. Sign up here, or with the button on the left. Read the August edition!

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South Platte Storage Study Report Available The South Platte Storage Study (SPSS) was performed as a result of House Bill 16-1256. This legislation authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board, in collaboration with the State Engineer and the South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables, to conduct a study to identify water storage possibilities along the lower South Platte River from Greeley to Julesburg. These storage options include the construction of new reservoirs, the rehabilitation and enlargement of existing reservoirs, and underground storage. Download the SPSS report here...

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Agricultural Water Protection Water Rights Per House Bill 16-1228, the CWCB developed Criteria and Guidelines for the establishment of Agricultural Water Protection Programs in Water Division 1 or 2 for the implementation of Agricultural Water Protection Water Rights. The Criteria and Guidelines were approved by the CWCB at the July 2017 board meeting and are available here. The Division of Water Resources is developing Rules Governing the Review of a Substitute Water Supply Plan for the Lease, Loan, or Trade of a Decreed Agricultural Water Protection Water Right. More information on the rules is available here.

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CWCB Data Viewer now online! The CWCB Data Viewer is a free, web-based map that provides water feature information and data about CWCB projects in the form of an interactive map of Colorado. Features can be selected and identified, and links are provided to more detailed information where available. This map is supported on all platforms, including mobile! Check it out here.

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Statewide Water Supply Initiative As an integral part of ongoing efforts to implement Colorado's Water Plan, work is underway to update the Statewide Water Supply Initiative - a comprehensive technical analysis of statewide water issues. This update will serve as the technical foundation to help guide planning at the basin roundtable level as well as future refinements to the water plan. The CWCB's technical team is actively updating the analyses with a planned completion of July 2019. More information can be found here.

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