WHERE THE FUTURE FLOWS

THE HISTORY OF CCWCD

The Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, was formed in 1965 under the Water Conservancy Act of 1937. It covers approximately 475,000 acres. The mission statement of Central and its Subdistricts is,

“To develop, promote, and implement water conservation, augmentation, and management strategies to protect water resources for the benefit of the citizens of the District and Subdistricts.”

Created to develop, manage, and protect water resources for Northeast Colorado. The District stretches from Commerce City to Fort Morgan along the South Platte River. A fifteen-member Board of Directors establishes policies and goals that a district judge appoints. Since its beginning, the Board of Directors’ goal has been to advocate and support the development of water resources within the South Platte River basin.

In 1969, the Colorado Legislature determined that alluvial wells needed to be incorporated into the surface water administrative law – or the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation. The Groundwater Management Subdistrict (GMS) was formed in 1973 to provide an augmentation plan to keep those wells operational and compliant with the state. The Subdistrict operated under a supplemental augmentation plan approved by the State Engineer’s Office until 2002. In 2005, GMS successfully negotiated a decree. GMS has allocated around 50% of the historic contractual groundwater pumping yearly since 2005.

1973Chatfield Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir was completed in 1973 due to the devastating flood that hit the Denver metro area in 1965. In 1983, the CCWCD filed a water rights application seeking 26,400 acre-feet of water storage in Chatfield Reservoir. The Federal Government later determined that 20,600 acre-feet of additional water could be safely stored in the reservoir.

CCWCD continued expanding its water portfolio through the 1980s, acquiring many senior rights in irrigation companies, reservoirs, and recharge sites. The first large water storage projects, Kiowa Recharge and Milliron Recharge, were constructed east of Fort Morgan.

Kiowa Recharge

Lobbying became a District initiative in the 1980s as well. The Board of Directors opposed Senate Bill 120, which exempted gravel pits from augmentation. The bill was later amended to affect post-1981 gravel pits. CCWCD’s board continues to oppose and promote new legislation to protect the river and the water rights of constituents and all Colorado residents.

CCWCD became active in water protection in 1988. A groundwater quality program started, and aquifer water level data were collected. The Water Quality Program has since grown into a larger framework. Consistent water sampling and monitoring wells at area schools for educational purposes have been essential parts of the program.

The 1990s were a time of innovative water projects. CCWCD constructed its first lined gravel pit reservoir to store water diverted during free river conditions. Siebring Reservoir was the first known bentonite slurry-lined gravel pit in the state.

The District branched out in education efforts, hosting the first Children’s Water Festival in Colorado in 1991. In 2012, the Confluence Institute was added so K-12 teachers could add water-related curriculum to their classrooms. In addition, basic Water Law classes are offered periodically for those interested in learning more about our state’s complicated water laws.

WAS Seal

The second Subdistrict, the Well Augmentation Subdistrict (WAS), was formed in 2004. WAS assisted well owners who suddenly had no augmentation plan when the Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte (GASP) disbanded. In May of 2008, Judge Roger Klein signed the official decree. By court order, WAS well owners were not allowed to pump a drop of water from 2006 to 2012. In 2013, a small quota was allocated, and by May 2015, the Board approved quota had risen to 35%, and 55% in April 2016.

Providing reliable augmentation supply, protecting the needs of water users within the District, coordinating water resource educational programs, and monitoring water quality continue to be the priorities of the District.