From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
The complaint is often heard that urban dwellers should give up there bluegrass lawns and golf courses, parks and other public spaces should look like they belong in a semi-arid environment. Some argue that it could be a new supply for municipalities that are looking for ways to provide water for a population that is expected to double in the next 40 years.
“Cities can create new supplies through reuse and conservation,” said George Sibley, on behalf of the Gunnison Basin Roundtable. He called excessive use of water a “bad habit” that should be corrected as more people move to the state.
In 2008, the state’s cities collectively used a little more than 1 million acre-feet. Reducing use by 40 percent of those levels could supply 400,000 acre-feet. That would go a long way in meeting future demands. In fact, if 40 percent reductions stayed in place over time, and were applied time and time again, the demand in 2050 could be met with current supplies. That could keep cities from raiding agricultural water supplies, which total about 11.5 million acre-feet in diversions annually.
More IBCC — Basin Roundtables coverage here.