Date: 08/14/2012
Final
Colorado River Cooperative Agreement
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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04:03 PM -- Colorado River Cooperative Agreement
Chris Treese, External Affairs Manager, Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD), described the implementation of the Blue River decree and related litigation that regulates how water from the Blue River in western Colorado is diverted by Denver Water, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, and other water users in the Colorado River Basin. He explained that the 2002 drought lead Denver Water to seek to expand Gross Reservoir and the Moffat Collection System to increase the reliability of it water supply system. Colorado River water interests requested that Denver Water develop a basin wide mitigation plan to address Denver Water's supply needs. Over the next five years, the Colorado River Cooperative Agreement (CRCA) was developed to address Denver Water's long term water needs.
04:05 PM
Chris Piper, Denver Water, described the provisions of the CRCA that help determine what water is available for use by Denver and where that water may be used. Specifically, the agreement helps settle the Blue River Decree and provides support for Denver Water's proposed Moffat Collection System expansion. It also defines Denver Water service area boundaries and authorizes the water infrastructure supply efficiency (WISE) project that would allow the delivery of Denver Water's reusable water supply to south metro water supply entities located outside of Denver Water's service area boundaries.
04:09 PM
Mr. Trees identified provisions of the CRCA that benefit the Colorado River Basin including additional water supplies for environmental purposes, snow making, and water to dilute waste water discharges. Denver Water also agrees to manage Denver Water resources for the benefit of recreation and local communities, according to the CRCA. Mr. Treese explained that the CRCA must be signed by all parties to take effect. Denver Water and the CRWCD are currently working with remaining parties to obtain their agreement. The final agreement is expected to be ratified at the October 2012 CRWCD Board meeting. He also described efforts to address administration of the water right for the Shoshone Hydropower Plant on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon.
04:25 PM
Mr. Treese responded to questions from the committee about water diversions in the Colorado River Basin when the Shoshone Hydropower Plant is not diverting water and discussed the effect of the CRCA on future transbasin diversions. Mr. Piper responded to questions from the committee about the ability of Denver Water to meet its long term water supply needs under the terms of the CRCA. He also discussed the potential impact of the CRCA on agricultural water rights in the South Platte River Basin if Denver Water is unable to acquire additional west slope water to address future water demands.