Water Plan Water Equity Task Force

Equity, diversity, and inclusivity challenges are critically important to understand. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is committed to making sure these discussions have a home in the Colorado Water Plan update. To better understand water-related issues around equity, diversity and inclusion, the CWCB and Department of Natural Resources worked with the Governor to convene a Task Force to explore these challenges and opportunities.

In March of 2021, the Water Equity Task Force was created with a single mission: to help the CWCB shape a set of guiding principles around equity, diversity and inclusion that could help inform the update to the Colorado Water Plan through a set of four meetings, including one public workshop.

The Task Force brought together 21 diverse Coloradans who blend traditional stakeholder groups and new voices. They included two members from each of the legislatively defined nine basin regions across Colorado (representing each of the eight major river basins as well as the metro area) with both a water-focused representative and a community representative. The Task Force also included one member from Colorado’s two federally recognized Native American Tribes - the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and a member representing the acequia community.


Meeting Their Mission

With the conclusion of their 4th meeting, the Water Equity Task Force met their mission in guiding the Colorado Water Plan to highlight equity, diversity, and inclusion themes for the first time in a historic moment. Read the summary of these guiding principles here.

Though the Task Force's has formally concluded with the culmination of 4 meetings and one public workshop, the critical work the Task Force charted will continue. One connected effort is being led by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) in advancing several environmental justice initiatives that CWCB is involved in. Learn more about CDPHE's environmental justice work here.

Equity, diversity, and inclusivity challenges are critically important to understand. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is committed to making sure these discussions have a home in the Colorado Water Plan update. To better understand water-related issues around equity, diversity and inclusion, the CWCB and Department of Natural Resources worked with the Governor to convene a Task Force to explore these challenges and opportunities.

In March of 2021, the Water Equity Task Force was created with a single mission: to help the CWCB shape a set of guiding principles around equity, diversity and inclusion that could help inform the update to the Colorado Water Plan through a set of four meetings, including one public workshop.

The Task Force brought together 21 diverse Coloradans who blend traditional stakeholder groups and new voices. They included two members from each of the legislatively defined nine basin regions across Colorado (representing each of the eight major river basins as well as the metro area) with both a water-focused representative and a community representative. The Task Force also included one member from Colorado’s two federally recognized Native American Tribes - the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute tribes, and a member representing the acequia community.


Meeting Their Mission

With the conclusion of their 4th meeting, the Water Equity Task Force met their mission in guiding the Colorado Water Plan to highlight equity, diversity, and inclusion themes for the first time in a historic moment. Read the summary of these guiding principles here.

Though the Task Force's has formally concluded with the culmination of 4 meetings and one public workshop, the critical work the Task Force charted will continue. One connected effort is being led by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) in advancing several environmental justice initiatives that CWCB is involved in. Learn more about CDPHE's environmental justice work here.

Page last updated: 16 Mar 2022, 09:07 PM