ASSOCIATION PROFILE
Problem-Solving in the Colorado River Basin: Jim Broderick of CRWUA
Lake Powell at low levels.
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he Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings together Colorado River water users from seven states and one tribal organization to discuss common issues and to find cooperative solutions. This mission is particularly important given the historic drought conditions the area is suffering. As well as being the executive director of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Jim Broderick is one of the three Colorado members of CRWUA’s board of trustees and, as of 2017, CRWUA’s president. In this interview with Municipal Water Leader Managing Editor Joshua Dill, Mr. Broderick discusses CRWUA’s origins and purpose and what its member states are doing to respond to the Colorado River drought.
Jim Broderick: I am the executive director of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. I have been here since 2003. I came from Arizona, where I worked in the water industry, specifically Tucson Water Utility. I came here because I was interested in large water operations, and Pueblo, where the district is headquartered, is my hometown. I thought it would be nice to come back to Colorado.
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Jim Broderick: CRWUA was organized in 1945 for the sole purpose of protecting the interests of all those who rely on the Colorado River system for water. It remains an organization committed Jim Broderick, president of CRWUA. to making certain that the participating states maintain an open dialogue on the issues through cooperation rather than conflict. Joshua Dill: Who are the members of your organization? Jim Broderick: CRWUA is made up of seven states and the Colorado River Indian Tribe Partnership. That includes Arizona, California, and Nevada with the Lower Basin, and Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming with the Upper Basin. Our board of trustees is made up of three MUNICIPAL WATER LEADER
PHOTO BY THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Joshua Dill: Please tell us about your background.
Joshua Dill: Tell us about CRWUA and its history.
