After seven years of meetings, the Interbasin Compact Committee appears ready to do something about the state’s municipal water gap. In preparation for a summit of the state’s nine basin roundtables today, the IBCC looked closely at how the roundtables have used a planning tool that incorporates identified projects, conservation, new projects and agricultural transfers. While the IBCC worked with the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop the tool, members think it’s time to move ahead. “I think the state of Colorado has a problem, and this is just another study that tells us we have a problem,” said Jay Winner, manager of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservation District. “It’s time to address the problem and not do more studies.” The Lower Ark district has been the primary sponsor of the Super Ditch, which seeks to sell water through leases without permanent land dry-ups. “I’ve always been a believer in doing,” said Frank Jaeger, manager of Parker Water. “They’re trying to manipulate conservation into a water supply, but that’s not what it is.” “This whole exercise, as we saw today, shows that a lot of the roundtables agreed that a high success rate of identified projects is important,” said Travis Smith, manager of the San Luis Irrigation District and a member of the CWCB. “The question is how we support projects that are ready to be implemented.” “When are we going to get to the point where we’re developing programs that reduce the gap?” added Carl Trick, a CWCB member from the North Platte basin. Roundtables have been working with the portfolio tool for the past few months to develop scenarios for future water supply. The results of those efforts will be the main topic of today’s meeting, which also includes an address by Gov. John Hickenlooper.

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