The Colorado Division of Water Resources provides a variety of documents and records, many of which are available to viewing online, free of charge. The DWR Records Department also provides public access to computer terminals for documents, data and records research. Paper and electronic copies may be purchased through the Division's Records Department, and costs are generally calculated on a per-copy basis.
Typically, documents that are provided online are in PDF format and require a PDF Reader for viewing.
Please contact or visit our Records Research section for additional information on our publications and products. See our A-Z index or Site Map as an alternative way to browse all of our online resources resources by Topic.
Abandonment Lists
These abandonment lists show water rights that the Division Engineer has determined to have been abandoned in whole or in part. The abandonment process is done every ten years pursuant to Section 37-92-401 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Administration Reports
These Administration Reports show daily and monthly summaries of rivers and reservoirs in selected Divisions.
Compact Summaries
This document provides a summary of compacts and litigation governing Colorado’s use of interstate streams. Colorado is directly involved in one international treaty, two U.S. Supreme Court decrees, one interstate agreement, and nine interstate compacts. These summaries in no way are conclusive or all-encompassing, as each compact is a very complicated document.
Please visit our Interstate Compacts Page to see the actual compacts.
Brochures and Guidelines
General brochures, informational pamphlets, guidance documents, links and other supporting documents to help the public better understand water, administration and DWR rules and policies.
Ground Water Levels
Annual reports of Ground Water Levels for the Denver Basin aquifer and other aquifers throughout the state.
Official Water Rights Tabulation
These tabulations show the current status of decreed water rights in order of seniority by major drainage basin. Official tabulations are generated every two years pursuant to Section 37-92-401 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Published Stream Flows
This publication includes hydrology data which has been reviewed and corrected for accuracy by DWR’s Hydrologic Branch. Each station report includes a station summary and daily flow values.
Streamlines News Articles
Streamlines is the periodic newsletter of the Division of Water Resources. It is intended to provide information to the public and the water resource community concerning the Office of the State Engineer, its policies, procedures and timely information concerning topics of water interest in the state.
Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI)
The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) developed by this office and the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service is used as an indicator of mountain-based water supply conditions in the major river basins of the state.
Forms
Complete listing of all user submittal forms; including, but not limited to forms for well permit applications, dam safety, and subdivision water supply plans.
Policies and Guidelines
DWR policies and instructional materials related to General Administration, Dam Safety, Ground Water, SWSPs, Well Permitting, Water Administration, specific basins, and other general topics of interest.
Rules and Regulations
DWR rules and regulations related to General Administration, Dam Safety, Ground Water Well Permitting, Water Administration, and specific basins.