Water Plan Update

*NEW* Action Area Info sheets in English and Spanish (Feb 2022)

July 2021

The CWCB closed out a robust scoping effort in July 2021 that included a series of workshops, meetings and conversations with stakeholders. Since that time, staff have been drafting the Water Plan which will be released for the public in June of 2022. Some key features of the forthcoming Water Plan are described below:

Action-focused: The 2015 Water Plan was organized around nine objectives with goals set for varying deadlines ranging out to 2050. This update will keep the same values of the original plan, but re-orient them into four action areas: Vibrant Communities, Robust Agriculture, Thriving Watersheds, and Resilient Planning. Within these action areas, the plan will identify near-term steps (8-10 years) aimed at managing risks. These actions will collectively capture the spirit of the original Water Plan objectives, while offering clear, actionable steps to manage Colorado’s water wisely for the future. The plan will also include horizons, which are longer term goals, aligned with CWCB's 2050 planning horizon, that will require multiple sectors and partners come together to achieve these outcomes.
Line of sight: The original Water Plan offered critical actions and objectives along with the history and context necessary to set the stage for such an unprecedented planning effort. The vision for the update includes streamlining the report and making it easier to see the line of sight between our values, action areas, and in turn, the actions recommended to achieve our long term vision.
Increasingly Accessible: While the original plan topped out at 540 pages, the update will include a two-volume format - one version concise and action-focused, and one version more explanatory of overarching concepts. Both Volume 1 and Volume 2 content will be available interactively online.

The update will build upon and streamline the 2015 Water Plan. It will not lose sight of our longstanding water issues, but will focus on new innovations, emerging challenges and actions that help address Colorado’s evolving water goals.

*NEW* Action Area Info sheets in English and Spanish (Feb 2022)

July 2021

Action-focused: The 2015 Water Plan was organized around nine objectives with goals set for varying deadlines ranging out to 2050. This update will keep the same values of the original plan, but re-orient them into four action areas: Vibrant Communities, Robust Agriculture, Thriving Watersheds, and Resilient Planning. Within these action areas, the plan will identify near-term steps (8-10 years) aimed at managing risks. These actions will collectively capture the spirit of the original Water Plan objectives, while offering clear, actionable steps to manage Colorado’s water wisely for the future. The plan will also include horizons, which are longer term goals, aligned with CWCB's 2050 planning horizon, that will require multiple sectors and partners come together to achieve these outcomes.
Line of sight: The original Water Plan offered critical actions and objectives along with the history and context necessary to set the stage for such an unprecedented planning effort. The vision for the update includes streamlining the report and making it easier to see the line of sight between our values, action areas, and in turn, the actions recommended to achieve our long term vision.
Increasingly Accessible: While the original plan topped out at 540 pages, the update will include a two-volume format - one version concise and action-focused, and one version more explanatory of overarching concepts. Both Volume 1 and Volume 2 content will be available interactively online.