01Owns the water
Sets Colorado's water-quality standards through the Water Quality Control Commission and issues discharge permits through the Water Quality Control Division. Quality, not rights — who may put what into a stream, not who may take water out of it.
02Plans ahead
Basin roundtables and statewide planning set priorities for supply, rivers, and agriculture.
03Pays for the work
State grant programs and statewide funds pay for most local water projects.
04Does it on the ground
Watershed groups, utilities, districts, and volunteers do the physical work.