Denver, CO, January 28, 2025 — Two years in, Colorado’s Water Plan has achieved 20 percent progress on the state’s actions and is on track to reach its 2033 goal, according to a new progress report released today by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The updated Colorado Water Plan, launched in January 2023, outlines a comprehensive strategy that includes 50 agency-led and 50 partner-led actions aimed at addressing the state’s diverse water challenges.
“This Water Plan was built for action, and over the last two years, our agency and dozens of partners have been hard at work,” said Kat Weismiller, CWCB Water Supply Planning Section Chief. “It was an ambitious goal to complete all the actions set out in the Colorado Water Plan within a decade, but thanks to the dedication of our staff and partners across the state, we’re making it possible.”
The Water Plan Progress Report highlights significant milestones: 41 actions are underway, three of which are fully complete. Together, these accomplishments represent 20 percent of the plan’s total goals, ensuring the initiative remains on track for full completion by 2033. Over the past two years, CWCB staff have worked to navigate complex funding structures, support research and forge innovative partnerships. The progress also reflects the dedication of Colorado’s stakeholders and communities—ranchers, rafters, regional leaders and others—who are driving tangible results on the ground, often with support from the CWCB’s grant and loan programs.
“What makes water in Colorado work is the collective efforts of multiple agencies, organizations and community water leaders moving ideas forward and putting them into action,” said Lauren Ris, CWCB Director. “This progress report spotlights these collaborative achievements and highlights the critical role of our partners. I am so proud of what we’ve all accomplished together over the past two years”
A key focus of the report is on collaborative projects funded through the CWCB’s diverse grant and loan programs, which are essential in empowering stakeholders to advance the Water Plan’s partner actions. For example, the Intermountain West Alternative Forages Project, a coalition-led effort exploring crops like sainfoin and intermediate wheatgrass that use less water while maintaining agricultural viability. Or the Sonoran Institute’s Growing Water Smart program, which empowers local leaders to create tailored action plans that support sustainable growth and strengthen connections between water management and land development. The report not only highlights these impactful efforts but also serves as a valuable resource for future grant and loan applicants to develop and fund their local projects.
As the Colorado Water Plan enters its next phase, the CWCB and its partners are committed to ensuring that the plan’s objectives are met, securing a sustainable water future for Colorado’s environment, agriculture and communities.