Colorado Basin Plan

Basin Context:
The mainstem Colorado Basin in Colorado encompasses approximately 9,830 square miles and extends from Rocky Mountain National Park to the Colorado-Utah state line. Elevations range from more than 14,000 feet to about 4,300 feet. Snowpack in the high country is an important water source to both sides of the Continental Divide, as the state’s largest transbasin diversions are here. Ranching and livestock production typify agriculture in the upper reaches, while the Grand Valley has a long history of fruit and vegetable production. With major ski areas as well as boating and fishing opportunities, water drives a robust recreation and tourism economy throughout the basin.

BIP Update Background & Next Steps:
Following on the heels of the release of the Colorado Water Plan in 2015, staff began working on the next update to the statewide water supply initiative or SWSI. The next SWSI effort was rebranded as the Analysis and Technical Update to the Colorado Water Plan (Technical Update) after gathering roundtable input and realizing that SWSI and the Basin Implementation Plans (BIPs) are core components of the Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan).

The Colorado Basin Roundtable's BIP was first developed prior to the release of the Water Plan and is being updated as part of the larger BIP and Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) update. As with the other basins, the BIP is slated to be completed in 2021 and will fold into the Water Plan update that's scheduled for completion in 2022.

Like the Technical Update, the BIPs and Water Plan will follow a similar format of having a shorter more accessible Volume 1 strategy document and a longer Volume 2 document that will contain the original BIP and other supporting information.