科罗拉多州地区降水较少,年平均降水量约38毫米。河水的补给是以冰融水为主,因此春季河湖水量较多,其它季节较少。随着社会经济的发展,人们大规模地开发利用水资源,水资源日益短缺,水资源越来越成为制约国计民生的主要因素。为合理开发和利用有限的水资源,缓和供水矛盾,促进经济发展,加强对州内地表水和地下水资源的有效利用,该州政府开始重视用水管理。为此,该州废除了原先的水权管理模式,不断修改水法,实行以取水许可等水权管理为核心的水资源管理制度。1991年修改的《科罗拉多州水法概要》(以下简称《水法概要》)是该州 Precipitation is less in Colorado, with an average annual rainfall of about 38 mm. The supply of river water is mainly ice-melting water, so the amount of water in rivers and lakes is greater in spring and less in other seasons. With the development of society and economy, people develop and utilize water resources on a large scale, and water resources are increasingly in short supply. Water resources have increasingly become the main factor that restricts the national economy and people’s livelihood. In order to rationally develop and use limited water resources, ease water supply conflicts, promote economic development, and strengthen the effective use of surface water and groundwater resources in the state, the state government has begun to attach importance to water management. To this end, the state abolished the original water rights management model, constantly revised the water law, and implemented a water resources management system centered on water rights management such as water permitting. The Colorado State Water Act Summary (hereinafter referred to as the “Water Law Summary”), which was amended in 1991, is the state.