According to Colorado’s Water Conservation Act of 2004, all covered entities – retail water providers who sell 2,000 acre feet or more of water annually – must have a water conservation plan on file with the state that has been approved by the CWCB. Each plan must include the minimum required plan elements as outlined in the Act.

The CWCB provides technical assistance as well as grant money to covered entities seeking to develop or update water conservation plans.

What to Consider When Developing a Water Conservation Plan
The CWCB’s Office of Water Conservation and Drought Planning (OWCDP) has developed a comprehensive set of Guidelines for the Office to Review and Evaluate Water Conservation Plans. All water conservation plans submitted to the CWCB for approval will be reviewed for compliance with the Guidelines.

Based on several key water conservation literature sources, the CWCB has established nine planning steps for comprehensive, effective conservation planning. Implementation of these nine steps will likely be different for different covered entities that are planning for meaningful water conservation.

The nine planning steps are:

1. Profile existing water system
2. Characterize water use and forecast demand
3. Profile proposed facilities
4. Identify conservation goals
5. Identify conservation measures and programs
6. Evaluate and select conservation measures and programs
7. Integrate resources and modify forecasts
8. Develop implementation plan
9. Monitor, evaluate and revise conservation activities and the conservation plan

Through implementation of the nine steps, gaps regarding infrastructure and facilities needs, water use and demand forecasting, and/or future water supply options may be identified – as a result of integrating water conservation planning with water supply planning.

Additional Information Water Conservation FAQs Water Efficiency Grants ­ Water Conservation Plan Development Guidance Document Water Conservation Planning Fact Sheet ­ Water Conservation Act of 2004­ Water Conservation Act of 1991  Minimum Required Water Conservation Plan Elements

Assistance with Developing a Water Conservation Plan
The CWCB has created the Water Conservation Plan Development Guidance Document, which presents a Model Water Conservation Plan. The Model Plan provides guidance for developing a sound water conservation plan and clearly differentiates the components that meet the statute-defined minimum water conservation plan requirements from the additional content that is recommended and promoted by the CWCB. The Guidance Document not only contains a Model Plan template and corresponding worksheets, but it also includes a comprehensive description of conservation measures and programs to consider incorporating into a plan, as well as a thorough list of other resources for water conservation planning.

The CWCB strongly encourages water providers to utilize the Water Conservation Plan Guidance Document to plan for meaningful water conservation. The Guidance Document illustrates how water conservation planning is best performed through a deliberate integration with water resources planning efforts.