Colorado

Colorado’s economy, lifestyle, and identity is tied to access to clean, reliable water supplies and healthy, thriving rivers. Colorado communities and our economy depend on the state’s rivers and waterways for their well being and economic vitality. A growing population and changing climate are stressing the water sources we all depend on and businesses play a vital role in shaping our water future. Colorado’s business community is promoting water security and working to ensure that our state manages our water resources, rivers and watersheds in a sustainable, forward-thinking way. Read more about our goals in Colorado here.

BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY RIVERS & WATERSHEDS
Colorado’s business community is promoting water security by making sure the Colorado Water Plan is fully funded and implemented. We submitted these comments to the state urging the plan’s update needs to be bold and meet the moment of our current water crisis by protecting rivers, promoting water flexibility and sharing, and increasing water conservation and efficiency. Earlier in 2022 sent Governor Polis this letter asking his administration to maximize federal infrastructure and recovery dollars for Water Plan goals including water security and river health projects. Find out more about our work on the plan through our involvement with the Water for Colorado coalition.

We partner with corporations to bring private funding to river-related funding needs, support Referendum DD and the #WaterWins campaign which taxes sports betting in the state for water funding, and we supported successful 2020 ballot initiatives in the Colorado River District and St. Vrain & Left Hand Water Districts which increase their mill levies to fund water and river projects. We bring the business voice to these efforts which are designed to find innovative solutions to the state’s water funding challenges.

THE RECREATION ECONOMY
The outdoor industry in Colorado plays a major role in our economy. Nearly $19 billion is generated every year from the economic impact of people recreating on or near the state’s rivers, lakes and streams. We work with leaders in the outdoor industry to advance solutions to water challenges and to work to keep our rivers healthy and flowing. Read more about how rivers are key to the state’s economy here.

OTHER COLORADO RESOURCES 

The Colorado River is vital to the economies of the seven-state region through which it flows. An Arizona State University study documents that the Colorado River supports $1.4 trillion in economic output, $871 billion in wages and 16 million jobs annually. In Colorado that equates to $189 billion and over 2 million jobs.

Companies are becoming transformational leaders in water stewardship with significant investments being made in our watersheds for river health and water security by corporations. Read more in our piece by Vanessa Vaughan- How Businesses are Investing in Colorado’s Water Future, Greenbiz.

We are working to promote Water Education Colorado’s Water ’22 “It All Starts Here” campaign to help advance water savings messages across the state. Coloradans understand the importance of clean, safe water, yet aren’t aware of the crisis the state faces.

Our Colorado Team

Contact Us: molly@businessforwater.org