Colorado Water Use Will Likely Double By 2050

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- A statewide report on water use in Colorado estimates water use will likely double by 2050 as more people move into the state and the oil shale industry develops on the Western Slope.

The Daily Sentinel reports a study commissioned by the Colorado Water Conservation Board released Friday estimates the state's population could grow to as many as 10 million people by 2050.

The report recommends a right mix of strategies that include conservation resuse, agricultural transfers and development of new water supplies to fill the gap between supplies and municipal and industrial needs.

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