Summary
In Colorado, a group of west slope ranchers devised a model for water banking that could make water conservation more profitable than irrigating, and now they are working with state agencies and conservation organizations to turn that idea into reality.
Still in the development stage, the Colorado River Water Bank would allow municipalities on Colorado’s Front Range to buy water consumption rights from irrigators on Colorado’s west slope who reduce their water consumption. This marketbased approach to water conservation means water has value beyond irrigation—water itself is becoming a profitable crop.
This case study explains why water conservation is paramount in Colorado and how water banking is the most cost-effective approach to water conservation. The conclusion offers recommendations for other groups considering water banking as a way to get more value out of water.
