In May 2013, Governor John Hickenlooper directed the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to commence work on a Colorado Water Plan through the Executive Order 2013-005. Gov. Hickenlooper wants a plan that will support agriculture in rural Colorado and align state policy to the state's water values. The Executive Order directs the CWCB to work with its sister agencies within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Energy Office, and other relevant state agencies as needed.

In the coming months, Audubon Rockies will be reviewing the Water Plan with a critical eye. We will be commenting on both the positive and negative aspects of the plan, with the intention of crafting the strongest plan to keep water in the Colorado River Basin so it can better sustain not only our growing human populations in the state but our wildlife as well. Our hope is that this plan will represent not only the human needs, but also a healthy ecosystem on which we and our wildlife are dependent. Public input on this plan will be critical—Audubon Rockies will be asking for local involvement through comments on the plan, so be on the look out for ways you can engage and comment on the plan!