Water is Colorado’s most precious natural resource. For our future, protecting our water is critical to our lives, our agricultural economies, our outdoor recreation industry, and our future.  That’s why, as governor, I will protect Colorado’s water for future generations, develop smart investments and innovative conservation solutions, and ensure that all regions of the state have a seat at the table. 

Given the crucial importance of water for our future, our Governor needs to lead on this issue from day one.  I have a five point plan to protect our water—(1) strongly defending our water rights; (2) partnering with all communities and opposing “buy and dry” plans; (3) funding water infrastructure; (4) investing in win-win innovations for conservation, reuse, and smart storage; and (5) protecting our water quality.

Fighting to Protect Colorado’s Water for our Future Prosperity

I will continue to protect Colorado’s scarce water resources and defend them from those that attempt to take more than their fair share. As Attorney General, I fought back when other states tried to pull more water from Colorado than permitted. And I am now fighting Nebraska in court to prevent a canal plan to take northeast Colorado water from the South Platte River across state lines, and to stop Nebraska from seizing Colorado farmers’ land by eminent domain to do it. As governor, will defend Colorado’s water from anyone, including other states, trying to take more than their fair share.  

To ensure that Colorado’s water needs and priorities are given the focus and importance they deserve, I will reestablish the role of Colorado’s chief water policy coordinator. This leader will work with all facets of state government, working to thoughtfully manage our water needs, protections, and infrastructure—with a focus on real world, practical solutions to our water challenges. As part of this focus, we will create opportunities for robust, open, and respectful dialogue with all stakeholders, including water users, geographic representatives, and political leaders. 

Ensuring that All Communities Have a Seat at the Table and Opposing “Buy-and-Dry” Schemes 

I will stand firm against any buy-and-dry plan that harms rural communities, farms, and ranches. Too often, we see schemes pushed by speculators and out-of-state interests to take our water for their own profit—schemes that come at the expense of rural and agricultural communities’ jobs and economic prosperity. That’s why, when farmers and community leaders in Colorado’s San Luis Valley told me that Denver-area investors sought to divert the Valley’s water to a new metro-area suburban housing development, I opposed this scheme from the start. I will continue to oppose “buy-and-dry” schemes like this that would devastate rural communities’ farms, jobs, and way of life. And I will ensure that rural Colorado always has a seat at the table, and we make our water management decisions together.

In negotiations among the Colorado River Basin states, I will ensure that we protect Colorado and work to implement win-win solutions that point towards a sustainable future for the entire state. Of the 5.3 million acre-feet of water used in Colorado annually, over 90 percent is used for agricultural purposes—underscoring how critical it is that agriculture be at the table for these discussions. They also require constructive engagement with the federal government that is grounded in an understanding and defense of Colorado’s rights—and never come from a place of fear of fighting to protect our rights. The conversations around the future of the Colorado River also require great sensitivity for affected communities on the Western Slope. I will have a dedicated chief water policy coordinator as well as a dedicated rural outreach operation, ensuring that such communities have a seat at the table. And as Attorney General, I ensured that water rights from coal plans on the Western Slope would stay there and not be diverted elsewhere.

Meaningfully Funding our Water Infrastructure

I will make funding of the Colorado Water Plan at the scale it requires a top priority. The Colorado Water Plan is a key model for collaboration and our water future, and it estimates water funding needs to be up to $3 billion, at a pace of $100 million annually—a daunting figure. I have repeatedly urged the legislature to make a major investment in Colorado’s water infrastructure by funding the Water Plan, but those calls went unanswered. While the General Assembly has made commendable progress by investing revenue from the legalization of sports betting to fund the Water Plan, it is not nearly enough to meet the challenge. Now, even as we recover from the current budget cuts caused by Congress passing H.R. 1, we must make good on this commitment and meaningfully fund the Colorado Water Plan. An investment of major magnitude is essential to support water projects that protect water supplies in all of Colorado’s river basins in the face of persistent drought and improve wildfire resiliency.

Win-Win Innovations to Conserve our Limited Water Resources

I will advance innovative water conservation projects across the state. Climate change-induced drought has dwindled our water supply, and it is critical that Colorado innovate more to conserve our scarce water resources. That includes water reuse programs, voluntary programs that incentivize crops that require less moisture (and help build a market for them), and encouraging homeowners to transition their lawns to require little or no irrigation. And to ensure we have more ability to provide “slack capacity” during increasing weather variability, we also must invest in smart storage opportunities. We can do that through prioritized state funds, endorsements for federal funding applications, and government support connecting project proponents with NGOs and private partners. 

Federal efforts must also be part of this solution. As governor, I will work with the federal government to think strategically about how to include voluntary initiatives that incentivize farmers to use water wisely into the next Farm Bill and other federal initiatives, and I will fully support and advocate for sound federal legislation to support water conservation. 

Protecting our Rivers, Streams, and Watersheds from Pollution and Spills 

We must protect our water quality just as we protect our water supply. Streams and rivers must be free of pollutants, illegal discharges, and disastrous spills—to protect our drinking water sources and the wildlife and ecosystems that rely on clean water. I will direct our state leaders, including those at the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (“CDPHE”), to fill the wide gaps created by federal leaders who are abdicating their roles in protecting our water. 

I will stand firm against projects and actions that pose unacceptable risks to Colorado streams and rivers. Last year I supported Eagle County’s lawsuit to stop a dangerous plan by a Utah oil-and-gas company to build a new railroad line in Colorado to ship a quarter million barrels of waxy crude oil—daily—along the Colorado River, our state’s most important drinking water source. I will continue to oppose projects like these that would risk our water, and I will support robust enforcement actions against those that deliberately disregard our laws and harm our environment and public health.

I will ensure our water quality laws are followed and we have responsible and necessary enforcement and oversight. I will appoint qualified people to the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission that are attuned to and committed to protecting our waters from pollutants and spills—and who are responsive to communities impacted by these risks. And I will also work to build up the capacity of CDPHE to engage in effective monitoring of water quality and to act quickly and effectively on permitting review decisions.