Connections to the Colorado Water Plan and the Statewide Water Supply Initiative 2010 - OpenWaterFoundation/owf-data-co-river-outfitters GitHub Wiki

The Colorado Water Plan (CWP), completed in 2015, is "a roadmap that leads to a productive economy, vibrant and sustainable cities, productive agriculture, a strong environment and a robust recreation industry." The plan lays the groundwork for the measurable outcomes, goals and actions required to ensure that the State's municipal, industrial, agricultural, environmental and recreational needs are preserved. In the CWP, it is stated that every basin roundtable (of which there are 9, representing the major river basins plus the Denver Metro area), discusses the need to protect recreational opportunities. Specifically, the South Platte basin's environmental and recreational goal is to "fully recognize the importance of, and support the development of, environmental and recreational projects and multi-purpose projects that support water availability for ecologically and economically important habitats and focus areas" (p.6-50). One of the measurable outcomes of this goal is to "protect and enhance economic values to local and statewide economies derived from environmental and recreational water uses, such as fishing, boating, waterfowl hunting, wildlife watching, camping and hiking" (p. 6-50). This can be achieved by "maintaining or improving the amount of river miles or flatwater surface acres available to river and flatwater boaters." Recreation supports tourism, which is a major economic driver in many parts of the state. In many headwater counties, recreation and tourism are the largest industries (SWSI 2010, p.2-1).