Safeguarding Water Resources
Water is a Fundamental Building Block of a Prosperous Community
When water leaves our communities, we forever lose the building blocks that are foundational to our economy, regional wellbeing and sense of place. If water exports continue to go unchecked, we will be faced with a less secure, more uncertain future. As water leaves, so does opportunity, wealth, and what makes Northeastern Colorado a great place to live, work and play, both now and into the future.
For over 170 years, the citizens of Northeastern Colorado have gone to extraordinary lengths to develop a safe, reliable supply of water. Today, this water is essential to nearly every aspect of life in our region, whether it is used to fuel our robust economy, grow food and forage, or support environmental and recreational values within our watersheds. Unfortunately, increasing demand and competition for these water resources is resulting in some of the best land and native water rights being acquired by entities well beyond our region, with the intent to export these supplies to thirsty cities in and around the Denver Metro Area. In return, communities in Northeastern Colorado are left trying to make use of expensive, less reliable, junior water rights to support regional growth and the lifestyles we enjoy today. It is not sustainable.
Water Exports Lead to Uncertain Future
Northern Water manages the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) Project which collects, stores and delivers more than 200,000 acre-feet of supplemental water each year to Northeastern Colorado. Retaining native water supplies is necessary to ensure that water yielded from the C-BT Project remains a supplemental water supply for irrigation, domestic, municipal and industrial purposes. To preserve the integrity of the C-BT Project and thus the foundation of our Northeastern Colorado communities, we strongly oppose the export of native water supplies for use outside of our region.
Our mission is evolving to include working with our neighbors to safeguard precious water resources for the current and future benefit of our region. Protecting native water supplies means securing opportunities for Northeastern Colorado to grow smart, be vibrant and realize a bright and certain future for generations to come.