Purpose

The CAC exists as a result of the Foothills Agreement. In the late 1970s, Denver Water found itself in need of a new treatment plant and operating reservoir. Public concern over growth issues and potential environmental impact in the canyon where the reservoir was to be built led to the Foothills Agreement -- a pact between Denver Water, federal agencies, elected officials and the environmental community. Among other things, terms of the 1978 agreement required the formation of a citizen group charged with representing public interests.

Scope of Work and Role of the CAC

• Provide advice on the use and effectiveness of citizen participation techniques used by the Board.
  
• Assist in and facilitate public review and discussion of Board plans.
  
• Participate with the Board in developing a program of making plans, records, information and studies available to the public.
• Advise the Board in planning for issues of interest to the Committee including but not limited to supply, treatment and distribution of water.
• Provide consultation to the Board for establishing a mechanism for assuring that the reaction of interested agencies and individuals to Board proposals, such as rate changes, conservation activities, recreation issues, distribution system extension, construction of projects to develop or expand supply facilities, etc., will be recorded and made available early in the planning process to the Board members and staff responsible for formulating decisions.
• No later than April of each year, the Committee may develop an annual work plan with specific activities defining its scope of work. The committee is not limited to these activities during the course of the year.

The Denver Board of Water Commissioners recognizes that there is a need for full and timely public participation in the decision making process of the Board on important Board decisions and, to insure that participation, it has agreed to create a Citizens' Advisory Committee with a substantial degree of independence. Under the Denver City Charter, the Board has not and legally cannot delegate to the committee any responsibility placed upon the Board by law.