The Water Conservancy Act of 1937 authorized Colorado Water Conservancy Districts, of which the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD or District) is one of 46 in the State of Colorado. Conservancy Districts are local entities of State government. As such, they have taxing power, subject to voter approval, within prescribed limitations, may acquire and sell water, construct water resource projects, and in general do everything necessary to provide adequate water supplies for the area served. Local voter approval established the San Juan Water Conservancy District in 1987. The District includes much of Archuleta County, including the Town of Pagosa Springs and the majority of the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) service area.
The purpose of the San Juan Water Conservancy District is to conserve, maximize and utilize the water resources of the San Juan River and its tributaries, and that property within the District will be benefited by this purpose. Another primary function of the SJWCD is to address furture water supply needs within the District.
The SJWCD is governed by a nine member Board of Directors who serve four-year terms. The Board adopts an annual budget based upon a mill levy. The present Directors, their positions on the Board, and current terms of office are as follows:
The Board meetings, which are open to the public, begin at 9:00 am the second Tuesday of each month at 100 Lyn Avenue in the PAWSD Board room.