Water panel urges cooperative planning

Jerd Smith, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 14, 2007 at midnight

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Colorado must continue to push for a more collaborative, statewide approach to water planning, for more water conservation and for equitable ways to develop new supplies, a University of Denver study panel said Thursday.

"By working together we can have a solid, assured water future," said DU Chancellor Emeritus Daniel Ritchie, who co-chaired the panel.

"The bad news is there is no silver bullet."

The panel issued a set of nine recommendations, most of which echo themes others are already trying to implement, such as cooperative planning between river basins, reform of the Colorado water court system, and removal of such thirsty invasive species as Russian olive trees from riverbanks.

Panel members included former Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis, former Colorado State University President Albert Yates, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and CH2M Hill Chairman Ralph Peterson.

Recommendations:

1. Embrace fairness, trust, respect and openness in water supply planning.

2. Encourage water conservation.

3. Encourage partnerships between urban and agricultural water users.

4. Remove high water consuming plants from river beds.

5. Streamline water court.

6. Encourage statewide perspective on water projects, including new reservoirs.

7. Facilitate cooperation between river basins.

8. Plan for climate change.

9. Maintain healthy rivers.

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