RESOLUTION NO. 2020-53

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
COUNTY OF SUMMIT
STATE OF COLORADO

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE COLORADO RIVER WATER CONSERVANCY
DISTRICT BALLOT INITIATIVE TO RAISE REVENUES TO PROTECT 
WEST SLOPE WATER RESOURCES

WHEREAS, the Colorado River Water Conservancy District is a public entity with a
mission to lead the protection, conservation, use and development of the water resources of the
Colorado River Basin for the welfare of its environment and its residents as well as to safeguard
for Colorado all the waters of the Colorado River to which the State of Colorado is entitled; and

WHEREAS, the Summit County Board of County Commissioners works closely with the
Colorado River District on both intrastate and interstate water matters of great importance; and

WHEREAS, it is critical to the people of Western Colorado that the Colorado River
District continue to be a strong and effective voice on water matters affecting Western Colorado
water users, and

WHEREAS, the Colorado River District?s revenues are declining due to reduced energy
production and prices, impacts of the Gallagher Amendment and the revenue limitations in the
Taxpayers Bill of Rights, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Colorado River District has certi?ed and directed
that the following ballot question (7A) be placed in the November, 2020 election across the
District?s 15 counties:

Shall Colorado River Water Conservation District, also known as the Colorado River
District, taxes be increased by an amount up to $4,969,041 in 2021 (which increases
amounts to approximately 90 in 2021 for every $100,000 in residential property
value), and such amounts as are generated annually thereafter from an additional
property tax levy of .248 mills (for a total mill levy of 0.5 mills) to enable the Colorado
River District to protect and safeguard Western Colorado by:

. Fighting to keep water on the Western Slope;

. Protecting adequate water supplies for West Slope Farmers and Ranchers;

- Protecting sustainable drinking water supplies for West Slope communities; and

Protecting ?sh, wildlife, and recreation by maintaining river levels and water

quantity;

Provided that the District will not utilize these additional funds for the purpose of paying
to fallow irrigated agriculture; with such expenditures reported to the public in an
annually published independent ?nancial audit; and shall all revenues received by the
District in 2021 and each subsequent year be collected retained and spent
notwithstanding any limits provided by law?

WHEREAS, the Board believes that the revenues that will be raised if the above ballot
question is approved by the voters are critical to the Colorado River District being able to continue
its mission and being a strong and effective advocate on issues and importance to water users on
the Western of Colorado.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF SUMMIT COUNTY, COLORADO STRONGLY SUPPORTS
THE COLORADO ROVER BALLOT MEASURE SET FORTH
ABOVE.

ADOPTED THIS 8th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2020.

COUNTY OF SUMMIT
STATE OF COLORADO
BY AND THROUGH ITS