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In the news...
"What would an intra-state Colorado River Compact look like and how would it work (or not)?" is the centerpiece theme of the Colorado River District's Annual Water Seminar. It takes place Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, at the Two Rivers Convention Center in Grand Junction. The cost is $25 and includes lunch. Sitting on the lead panel are Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs as moderator, Attorney David Robbins, Colorado River District General Manager Eric Kuhn and State Sen. Josh Penry. Other panels will discuss a possible water bank to protect against curtailment under the Colorado River Compact, a Front Range vision for a water supply future, a revealing look at Denver Water's landmark water conservation program and an update on the much anticipated study due to be released on the water supply demands posed by the energy industry. The lunchtime keynote speaker is Upper Colorado Regional Director Larry Walkoviak of the Bureau of Reclamation.
Continuing education credits are available for attorneys and real estate professionals.
-More information and registration details-
-Press Release-
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney says Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain has "no interest" in re-opening negotiations over the water sharing agreement that Colorado has with states like California and Arizona. Last week, McCain said in an interview with Charles Ashby of the Pueblo Chieftain that the Colorado River compact, first signed in 1922 and amended numerous times since then, should be "renegotiated over time amongst the interested parties?(to adjust) to the new realities of high growth, of greater demands on a scarcer resource."
-Coverage by 9NEWS-
The water compact that Colorado and other upper basin states have with California and Arizona should be renegotiated, U.S. Sen. John McCain said Thursday. In a telephone interview with The Pueblo Chieftain, the presumptive GOP candidate for president said the water sharing agreement reached in 1922 between seven Western states doesn't take into account increases in population and the changing water needs. As a result, the governors of those states should get together to talk about how best to use this precious resource, he said.
"I don't think there's any doubt the major, major issue is water and can be as important as oil. So the compact that is in effect, obviously, needs to be renegotiated over time amongst the interested parties," McCain said while on his way to the Aspen Institute. "I think that there's a movement amongst the governors to try, if not, quote, renegotiate, certainly adjust to the new realities of high growth, of greater demands on a scarcer resource.
-Coverage in The Pueblo Chieftain-
Memo to: John McCain.
From: Five million thirst-crazed Coloradans.
Subject: Forget about winning our nine electoral votes next November. We don't vote for water rustlers in this state; we tar and feather them!
Yes, fellow citizens of the state whose official motto is "Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting," John McCain has thunk the unthinkable - and proposed renegotiating the 1922 Colorado River Compact.
-From The Denver Post-
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter invites you to attend the Governor's Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk in Denver, October 8 -11, 2008. This comprehensive and diverse 2 1/2 day water conference will help water providers, planners, managers, and agency and local government officials assess drought risk, impacts, and preparedness in Colorado and the improvements that may be needed for management under different conditions such as climate change.
In this issue:
• Discussions on transmountain diversions, pre-1922 compact water rights and Colorado's compact allocation policies • Concept reviewed for compact curtailment insurance plan • Weather modification • Lower Arkansas Valley Super Ditch
Lake Powell has reached its highest level in six years, a sign that the Colorado River is recovering from one of the worst dry spells on record. The giant reservoir hit its peak for the year late last month, 45 feet higher than it was in March before the river swelled with melted snow from the wettest winter on the Colorado watershed in a decade.
-Coverage in The Arizona Republic-
Why this is important: Lake Powell is the savings account for Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. In lean snow years, water is drawn from the savings account to meet water delivery obligations to Arizona, California and Nevada. In years like this one, the bountiful snowpack meets water obligations while replenishing the savings account.
Rod Kuharich, Peter Nichols, Jeff Devere and Steve Harris join the IBCC.
-Press Release-
On Oct. 10-12, 2008, the Colorado River District and the renowned Keystone Science School in Summit County are collaborating on a three-day, two-night Water Camp for Western Colorado students who want to learn why water is the No. 1 natural resource issue in the West. -For more information-
| |   Lake Powell Hite Marina  Legislative UpdateCurrent state bills and resolutions of interest to the Colorado River District.
Legislative UpdateColorado River ManagementA West Slope Perspective
Part I: Segments: Existing and Proposed Transmountain Diversion Projects
Part II: “Big River” Rules of the Game
Part III: Risk of Compact Curtailment and Overdevelopment
Part IV: Possible Cooperative Solutions for Colorado
Colorado River Management 10,825 StudyJoint Water Supply Study by East and West Slope entities to provide summer flows to support the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program.
click hereSharing ShortagesColorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lakes Powell and Mead
click hereRoundtables Website LinkUse this link for the latest information about the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act that created Basin Roundtables to discuss water supply issues and solutions.
http://ibcc.state.co.us/The Future is Drying UpThe New York Times Magazine has published a comprehensive story on the Big River Issues facing the Colorado River and the 30 million citizens in seven states.
The Future is Drying UpOil ShaleOil shale may finally have its moment. In a dusty corner of northwestern Colorado, an energy of the future is beginning to look like the real thing. Can oil shale work?
Coverage in Fortune MagazineWho we are & what we doThe Colorado River District is the principal water policy and planning agency for the Colorado River Basin within the State of Colorado. The River District is responsible for the conservation, use, protection, and development of Colorado's apportionment of the Colorado River. The River District provides legal, technical, and political representation regarding Colorado River issues for our constituents in all of twelve and portions of three counties in northwest and west-central Colorado, encompassing approximately 28% of the State of Colorado.
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