When Northern Water introduced its initiative to protect native water supplies from moving beyond Northern Colorado, we knew the issue would be a complex one for many.

To help broaden understanding of the issue, Northern Water has created a series of questions and answers to the most-common inquiries we have received. Throughout the course of 2025, we will be publishing those questions and answers, and we will be asking for your questions, too.

First up: Why is Northern Water concerned about land and senior water rights being acquired by entities in the Denver Metro Area?

Answer: Maintaining an adequate base water supply supports our economy, environment and quality of life that we enjoy in Northeastern Colorado. It also allows us to maximize the significant investments made in existing and future water projects like the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project and the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) and helps provide water security for the region in a time of growing uncertainty.