The Southwest Basin is located in the southwest corner of Colorado and covers an area of approximately 10,169 square miles. The largest cities within the basin are Durango (pop. 15,213) and Cortez (pop. 8,328). The region also includes five ski areas: Telluride, Wolf Creek, Durango Mountain Resort, Kendall Mountain, and Hesperus. The Southwest Basin is projected to increase in municipal and industrial (M&I) water demand between 17,000 acre feet (AF) and 27,000 AF by 2050 with passive conservation included.
Priorities
- Ensure endangered species’ needs do not negatively impact future in-basin uses
- Address compact delivery impacts to existing and future in-basin water rights
- Address potential agricultural firming needs
- Ensure adequate water for future needs
- M&I
- Agricultural
- Environmental
- Recreational
Organization
| Meetings | Bi-monthly, alternating between Durango and Cortez |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Chair: Ed Tolen Vice-Chairs: Brandon Johnson IBCC Representatives: Steve Wolff & Ken Curtis Recorder: Wendy Weygandt |
| Roundtable Governance | There are currently 35 voting members of the Southwest BRT
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