Colorado Water Congress Collection

The Colorado Water Congress is an informational and lobbying organization that deals with water-related issues across the state. Founded in 1958, the Congress represents a wide range of water users, including agricultural, municipal, industrial, and recreational interests.

The idea to form a statewide water-users' organization originated in a factionalized climate. In 1957, when Colorado governor Steve McNichols proposed a general meeting of Colorado water users, the idea was initially greeted with skepticism. Nevertheless, a group of water authorities from across the state gathered in Denver later that year, with the goal of establishing a nonpartisan forum without regard to Colorado's geographic divisions. With the support of both state and private institutions, the Colorado Water Congress was formed in 1958 with the goal of providing a platform for all Colorado water users.

Prominent officers of the Congress have included Richard D. MacRavey, who was executive director from 1980 to 2005, and Charles C. Fisk, who edited the organization's newsletter during the 1960s.

The Colorado Water Congress Newsletter, later renamed Colorado Water Rights, was an important component of the organization's outreach mission. These newsletters, published to inform the public about water debates and policy in Colorado, provide a collective overview of state water issues for nearly half a century, with commentary from leading water experts on a range of topics. In addition to this informational medium, the Congress has also sponsored various educational programs and conferences, and has been active in shaping state water legislation.