Colorado's history is overflowing with colorful accounts of heated and sometimes violent conflicts over water. Water uses are diverse, the voices and opinions of its stakeholders are many, and the supply isn't all that plentiful.
The Colorado Water Congress was founded in 1958 to address these issues by bringing water users from throughout Colorado together in a not for profit organization dedicated to a smooth-functioning, nonpartisan structure.
Through open forums and committees, and thoughtful action for both water education and sound legislation, we have provided the strong leadership Colorado needs to better manage, protect, conserve and develop this most vital of natural resources.
And it's working. The proof is in the numbers. Since 1981, we've logged a success rate of 85% on state water-related legislation that the Water Congress has endorsed. It's rare that a bill opposed by our membership is ever signed by a Colorado governor. Our voice carries all the way to Washington, D.C. as well, helping shape water-specific legislation at the federal level.
Photo left to right: Duke Dunbar, Attorney General, Steve McNichols, Governor and John Barnard Jr. Executive Director of the Colorado Water Congress. (photo from 1958)