“Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.”

There are Three driving considerations for water in Colorado:

Availability-

Colorado’s first in time, first in line approach to water sets in motion the complex set of rules that govern availability of water for any water provider. Considering that Denver was acquiring water rights in the 1800’s and most of the south Denver metro area was built in the last 30 years, it is amazing that there is any water available for growing Douglas County.

With respect to Parker Water and Sanitation [PWSD], the 2004 purchase of 23,000 acre feet of renewable, agricultural water now converted to municipal water is a golden foundation for the Platte Valley Water Partnership [PVWP].

Politics-

As desirable as a water concept may be, it may be politically impossible to move water to the metro area. For example:

The Thornton water project that would bring water 74 miles from Larimer county to the North Metro area is blocked by a Larimer County 1041 resolution that forbids the water from being exported from Larimer county.
The San Luis Valley concept being promoted by RWR has multiple show stoppers, any one of which make it virtually impossible to happen. It has objection from agriculture interests, legislators, the community and even the Governor.
In contrast the Platte Valley Water Partnership works with agriculture, is supported by communities, legislators, water court etc.

Financial-

Even if availability and political issues are positive, the cost factor is a constraint. The options available for example, to a provider like Stonegate that may have assets of $25 million are limited compared to the options of PWSD with more than a $1 billion in book assets. Critical mass is valuable in dealing with vendors, Denver Water, Aurora Utilities, bond issuance etc.

Everything on the table does not mean all options are created equal. Based on the analysis of the DiNatale study prepared for the county, if PWSD would take the RWR proposal to Douglas County, at full build out, the San Luis Valley proposal is estimated to increase water bills $236 monthly while the PVWP would increase bills $55. At current sfe's, the increase would be about $500 and $115 respectively. In as much as the PVWP option is expandable, additional partners would reduce the impact.

Proposed Douglas County Water Commission