THE COLORADO BASIN ROUNDTABLE
C/O P.O. BOX 1120
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81602
September 18, 2018
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
Brent Newman, Interstate, Federal and Water Information Section Chief
1313 Sherman St., Room 718
Denver, CO 80203
Russell George, CWCB Mainstem Representative, Colorado Basin Roundtable (CBRT) Member
Subject: Agenda Item 13, Colorado Basin Drought Contingency Planning;
Support for the Colorado River District and Southwestern Conservation District’s Six
Principles to govern Demand Management program exploration
The CBRT’s Basin Implementation Plan identifies these two goals (among others) as vital for the
basin’s water and economic future: “Ensure sufficient Lake Powell water levels for uninterrupted
hydropower production” and “Maintain interstate compact deliveries to Lake Powell.”
It also cites the importance of irrigated agriculture to western Colorado and calls out the potential
for vast buy and dry as a threat. Also, the CBRT supported the Conceptual Framework in Colorado’s
Water Plan, which addresses the protection of current water uses as well as environmental,
recreational and other values important to the West Slope and all of Colorado in the face of new
water development -- or to prevent involuntary curtailment.
With that said, I write on behalf of the CBRT to laud the CWCB’s extensive efforts to examine how
“temporary, voluntary and compensated” conserved consumptive use (Demand Management) could
be generated to support Lake Powell and proactively avert Colorado River Compact compliance
measures.
The CBRT supports the joint September 17, 2018 letter and resolution in your possession from the
Colorado River District and the Southwestern Conservation District. The documents spell out six
principles that would govern the exploration or implementation of a Demand Management program
while protecting the interests of the West Slope and all of Colorado. Furthermore, as the CWCB
continues its work on a Demand Management program, we urge that the Roundtables and the
Interbasin Compact Committee continue to be engaged in the work to promote transparency and
stakeholder awareness.
Sincerely yours,

Jim Pokrandt
Chair, Colorado Basin Roundtable