Central Colorado Water Conservancy District’s vital role across our region

Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD) was founded in 1965 to serve the farms and ranches providing food for our region along the South Platte River in Adams, Morgan and Weld counties. 

Colorado’s population is expected to grow to nearly 10 million by 2050, placing increasing pressure on water resources. While economic growth depends on reliable water supplies, the state also relies on a strong agricultural economy.

For over 40 years, Central has addressed this challenge by expanding water rights and storage capacity. Since the 1980s, it has built a diverse portfolio including 14 reservoirs, a substantial portfolio of senior water rights, recharge ponds, and water conveyance systems. It was an early participant in Chatfield Storage Reallocation Project and later pioneered the process of slurry wall lining abandoned gravel pits for water storage.

All of this has been done to conserve, store and stabilize water for farming and ranching and other beneficial purposes, including commercial and recreational uses.

As a conservancy district, Central educates and advocates for water supply projects and encourages conservation by its users and broader community. Central develops and manages water storage projects, including reservoirs and underground storage to provide water today and into the future.

Central’s mission addresses core concerns involving water in our drought-prone region:

  • Provides its users and their communities with strategic water planning and protection

  • Develops water storage projects to ensure long-term, reliable supply

  • Pursues the acquisition of water rights

  • Educates the public (youth and adult) about our water supply

  • Promotes and assists irrigation conservation techniques

Governance
and fiscal accountability

‍Central is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. Directors must reside and own real property within the District boundaries.

Central’s Board and administration have successfully managed more than $200 million in previous bonds that were approval by voters. Central has received about $10 million in federal and state grant dollars to further leverage local tax dollars to support its projects and operations.

As a public entity, Central is required to have Board meetings open to the public and provide information through open records requests. Central conducts annual audits and other fiscal accountability and transparency measures to ensure the highest level of public trust.

Please visit CCWCD for information about governance and fiscal accountability.