The Colorado River Water Bank Work Group (WBWG) commissioned this study in 2019 as part of its examination of the possibility of a water demand management program in Western Colorado that includes voluntary, temporary, and compensated reductions in water use. Demand management is being evaluated in each of the Upper Colorado River Basin states due to concerns about risks of a future Colorado River Compact curtailment. Engaging stakeholders was of the utmost importance to WBWG and BBC engaged stakeholders in each of the four major Western Slope river basins to gather input and review results, focusing on three primary objectives:

1. Examining and documenting baseline economic conditions and trends in West Slope communities;

2. Estimating the magnitude of potential secondary economic and social impacts on Western Slope communities from reductions in agricultural water use; and

3. Identifying strategies for maximizing benefits and avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating costs.