The Colorado Water Plan

The Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) provides a framework for helping Colorado meet its water challenges through collaborative action around water development and water conservation. Learn more when you watch the video, review the executive summary, or read the 2023 Water Plan.


THE PATH TO ACTION
The Colorado Water Conservation Board's (CWCB) update to the Water Plan was a multi-year grassroots effort that included an intensive scoping phase, events in each of Colorado's 64 counties, and a 90 day public comment period. The next decade of implementation will require additional stakeholder engagement to help Colorado meet the challenges ahead. That's why the plan identifies:

  • 50 Partner Actions - project level examples of the work CWCB can fund with Water Plan Grants and that stakeholders around the state can support at different levels.

  • 50 Agency Actions that CWCB and collaborating agencies agreed to take. The CWCB does not build water projects but it can fund, support and advance them through its actions.

THE ACTION AREAS
The Water Plan includes four actions areas that are interconnect and work together for a stronger state. The action areas are: Vibrant Communities, Robust Agriculture, Thriving Watersheds, and Resilient Planning. These areas loosely relate to cities, farms, streams and people but include so much more.

THE DATA & PROJECTS
The CWCB uses state-of-the-art data and tools to analyze risks across scenarios out to 2050. The CWCB also worked with each basin to develop a Project Database - a list of potential water projects in each major river basin.



"The collective actions we take today across every corner of the state will increase water resilience for Colorado and our downstream neighbors. We hope you will consider your own role in Colorado’s water future and get involved — now is the time for action."

- CWCB Board
2023 Water Plan


The Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) provides a framework for helping Colorado meet its water challenges through collaborative action around water development and water conservation. Learn more when you watch the video, review the executive summary, or read the 2023 Water Plan.


THE PATH TO ACTION
The Colorado Water Conservation Board's (CWCB) update to the Water Plan was a multi-year grassroots effort that included an intensive scoping phase, events in each of Colorado's 64 counties, and a 90 day public comment period. The next decade of implementation will require additional stakeholder engagement to help Colorado meet the challenges ahead. That's why the plan identifies:

  • 50 Partner Actions - project level examples of the work CWCB can fund with Water Plan Grants and that stakeholders around the state can support at different levels.

  • 50 Agency Actions that CWCB and collaborating agencies agreed to take. The CWCB does not build water projects but it can fund, support and advance them through its actions.

THE ACTION AREAS
The Water Plan includes four actions areas that are interconnect and work together for a stronger state. The action areas are: Vibrant Communities, Robust Agriculture, Thriving Watersheds, and Resilient Planning. These areas loosely relate to cities, farms, streams and people but include so much more.

THE DATA & PROJECTS
The CWCB uses state-of-the-art data and tools to analyze risks across scenarios out to 2050. The CWCB also worked with each basin to develop a Project Database - a list of potential water projects in each major river basin.



"The collective actions we take today across every corner of the state will increase water resilience for Colorado and our downstream neighbors. We hope you will consider your own role in Colorado’s water future and get involved — now is the time for action."

- CWCB Board
2023 Water Plan


  • 2023 Colorado Water Plan Adopted by CWCB Board

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    On January 24, 2023, to meet Colorado’s most critical water challenges, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) finalized and adopted the 2023 Colorado Water Plan. First released in 2015, the Water Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide collaborative action from water partners, agencies, and Coloradans. From securing supplies that provide safe drinking water to improving farm irrigation to rehabilitating streams—the 2023 Water Plan targets specific, key actions to contribute to a stronger, more water-resilient Colorado.

  • Public Comment Period Now Closed

    After hosting and attending events in every Colorado county, and receiving thousands of comments submitted both in-person and online, the 90-day public comment period for the draft 2023 Colorado Water Plan (Water Plan) is now closed. Many thanks to those who participated. Our team is now in the process of reviewing submitted comments and the final Water Plan is set to be released in January 2023.

  • 2023 Colorado Water Plan Released for Public Comment

    The 2023 Water Plan draft was made available online and each county seat had a physical copy of the plan for a 90-day public review from June 30, 2022 - September 30, 2022. Staff collected comments at various events, and through the four virtual listening sessions (recordings available on CWCB's YouTube Channel.

    The final 2023 Colorado Water Plan will be completed at the end of 2022 and is expected to be adopted by the CWCB as a state document in early 2023.

Page last updated: 20 Jun 2024, 10:58 AM