The Colorado River Water Conservation District, commonly known as the Colorado River District, is a public water planning and policy agency created in 1937 to lead in the protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River Basin within Colorado. The District represents Western Slope communities and works to safeguard Colorado’s entitlements under interstate river compacts while supporting agricultural, municipal, environmental, and recreational water needs.
Water rights protection and administration, interstate compact compliance, watershed health, agricultural water supply, municipal water planning, drought resilience, river restoration, water infrastructure investment, and water conservation and efficiency programs
Primarily funded through property taxes approved by voters within the District, including revenues from Ballot Measure 7A (2020), along with grants and partnerships with state and federal agencies
Colorado Water Conservation Board, Upper Colorado River Commission, Colorado Basin Roundtable, Western Slope counties and municipalities
Special district and political subdivision of the State of Colorado
