Amid statewide concerns about water supply – heightened by a record-breaking dry winter – La Plata County is working to add a required water supply component to its comprehensive plan by the end of 2026.
To support that effort, the county received a $90,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs through its Housing Planning Grant Program. The funding will be used to hire a consultant to help analyze data, conduct public outreach and draft the new plan element. The total project cost is estimated at $120,000, with the county contributing a $30,000 local match.
The update is required under a new state law that mandates counties incorporate water considerations into long-range planning. The mandate requires the water supply element to include coordination with local water providers, an assessment of current water supplies, projections of future water demand based on anticipated growth and the development of water conservation policies.
In the grant application, county officials said the goal is to better align future development with available water resources, that are seemingly shrinking, and ensure long-term sustainability as the region grows.
The planning process will involve close coordination with water providers to estimate existing supply, as well as analysis of how much additional water will be needed to support projected housing and development outlined in the comprehensive plan. It will also identify conservation strategies that could help stretch limited supplies.
The work is expected to take place over much of 2026, with public outreach and stakeholder engagement built into the process before the final element is adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
