Water Law, Policy & Regulation
Colorado’s water belongs to the people of Colorado.
Water is the key to life, but it is a limited resource. Colorado water law establishes a system to divide this scarce resource for beneficial use. Different users, including farmers, industries, cities, recreationists, and environmentalists, all compete for Colorado’s water. Population growth, changing needs, and climate change affect the amount of water available. Since demands change, water law must be flexible. Over time, Colorado’s water law has evolved with the customs and values of its people.