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Title: Water
Markets: A Viable Solution for Colorado?
Author: Emily R. West
Abstract: Water markets have grown in
prominence over the past few decades as a response to the shift in needs and
values of Western Water users. In
this paper, I assessed the ability of water markets to solve the water allocation
problems created by these shifts, with a specific focus on the viability of
water markets in Colorado. As a way of introduction, a general
definition and a brief discussion of potential problems and benefits of water
markets was offered. Next, water
use data and population data for several Colorado
counties was presented to provide a picture of Colorado’s
past, current, and future needs.
From this data I found that water, though still used primarily for
irrigated agriculture, is shifting towards domestic and industrial uses. I also noted that driving this change
in use is a growing urban population in Colorado. I then looked at the current legal,
institutional, and geographic structures of Colorado
to examine if water markets have the potential to play a prominent role in
remedying the water allocation problems in the state. I found the current limitations to be
too great to allow for the wide-spread use of water markets in Colorado. I did note some successful use of
water markets within small, regionalized water districts and discussed
potential changes which could allow for greater use of the market system.
Key References:
Brajer, V., Church, A., Cummings, R., & Farah, P. (Spring
1989). The
Strengths and weaknesses of water markets as they affect
water scarcity and sovereignty interests in the West. Natural
Resources Journal, 29,
489-509.
Carey, J.M., & Sunding, D.L. (Spring 2001). Emerging markets in water: A comparative institutional analysis
of the Central Valley and Colorado-Big Thompson
Project. Natural Resource Journal, 41, 284-328.
Clyde, S. E. (Spring 1989). Adapting to the changing demand for
water use through continued refinement of the prior appropriation doctrine:
An alternative approach to wholesale reallocation. Natural
Resources Journal, 29, 435-455.
Colby, B.G. (Spring 1989). Estimating the value of water in
alternative uses. Natural Resource Journal, 29, 511-527.
Getches, D.H. (1988).
Pressures for change in western water policy. In D.H. Getches (Ed.), Water and the American West: Essays in
Honor of Raphael J. Moses. (pp. 143-164). Boulder,
Colorado: Natural
Resource Law Center,
University of Colorado
School of Law.
Gould, G.A. (Spring 1989) Transfer of Water Rights.
Natural Resource Journal, 29, 458-477.
Westcoat, Jr., J.L. (June 1986). Impacts of federal salinity control on
water rights allocation patterns in the Colorado
River Basin. Annals of the Association of American
Geographers, 76(2), 157-174.
References for
Figures and Maps
Total Freshwater Withdrawals, 1995
http://wwwga.usgs.gov/edu/graphicshtml/mapuscototfresh.html
Total Water Withdrawals for 1990
http://www.state.co.us/maps/colorado_counties.htm
Data Sets
U.S.
Bureau of the Census. (1900-1990).
Colorado Population Data by County. http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/co190090.txt
U.S.
Bureau of the Census. (1994-1999).
Colorado Population Data by County. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/placebyco/SC99T8_CO.txt
U.S.
Geological Survey. (1985). Water Use in the United States: Colorado Water Use by County. http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/
U.S.
Geological Survey. (1990). Water Use in the United States: Colorado Water Use by County. http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/
U.S.
Geological Survey. (1995). Water Use in the United States: Colorado Water Use by County. http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/
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