Watersheds, Associations, and Roundtables
The Conservation District Watershed Associations, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Watersheds, and Basin Roundtables all play integral roles in Colorado water management and conservation. It can get confusing as to which organization plays what role. We hope the information below clarifies these organizations and their unique roles.
Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) - Colorado Department of Agriculture
Created in 1937 and is the states primary agency for natural resource policy, planning, and to support the 72 local Conservation Districts across the state. They manage soil health grants, soil project financing, farm resources, and agriculture planning.
Conservation District Watershed Associations
Grassroots organization formed by neighboring groups of local Conservation Districts to address natural resource management and watershed health via resolutions to CACD. The Conservation District has 10 Watersheds that were partially based on the hydrologic river basins and the boundaries of the 72 Conservation Districts themselves.
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) - Colorado Department of Natural Resources Watersheds
Created in 1937 and is the states primary agency for water policy and planning. They manage Colorado's water resources, water project financing, flood mitigation, tracking drought, and managing the statewide Colorado Water Plan.
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) - Colorado Department of Natural Resources Basin Roundtables
In 2005 the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act establish 9 basin roundtables based on each of the states major river basins and a additional special basin of the Denver Metropolitan area. The purpose is bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to facilitate discussions on water management issues and encourage locally driven collaborative solutions on Colorado Water decisions.
Colorado Judicial Branch - Water Court - CO Judicial Water Court
Colorado is one of the few states that adjudicates water rights through a dedicated judicial system. The Water Court consists of seven divisions - one for each of the state's major river basins—and operates alongside the regular civil and criminal court system.
CWCB Basin Roundtables
Colorado River Basin
