The CWCB supports watershed planning as well as projects designed to restore and protect watersheds.
The CWCB partners with numerous organizations to plan and undertake multi-objective projects designed to reduce flood hazards, stabilize and restore stream channels, provide habitat, reduce erosion and increase the capacity to utilize water. Inter- and intra-agency coordination, communication and prioritization are essential components of the CWCB’s efforts.
Specifically, the CWCB supports watershed protection and restoration efforts through the administration of:
- The Colorado Watershed Restoration Program, which provides grants for watershed/stream restoration and flood mitigation projects throughout the state;
- The Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund, which helps support local watershed organizations in their efforts to provide clean water, protect habitat and improve recreation and accessibility; and
- The Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund, which provides grant money to mitigate the impacts of existing water supply facilities and help preserve a balance between development of the state’s resources and the protection of the state’s fish and wildlife resources.
- The Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program (IPCP):
In addition, the
basin roundtables currently are undertaking Phase II of the nonconsumptive needs assessment (NCNA) process, which seeks to identify projects or methods to address the basins’ nonconsumptive (environmental and recreational) needs. During Phase II, the roundtables will explore the following topics:
- Existing protections/efforts for priority areas
- Areas without protections that need further study
- Strategies needed to support nonconsumptive priority areas
- Areas where new flow or water level quantification is appropriate
- Areas where a project, whether structural (e.g. river restoration) or nonstructural, can be identified and implemented
- Areas where no action is needed at this time
More information about this process is available on the
Nonconsumptive Needs page.