Filling The Gap: Front Range (2011)
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Filling The Gap: Arkansas Basin
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Growing Demands
Filling the Gap Report
Nearly 70% of Colorado's population is concentrated on the eastern side of the state in the South Platte River Basin along the "Front Range"—a band of cities and communities located immediately east of the Rocky Mountains. According to state projections, the population of the 11 Front Range counties of the South Platte Basin is projected to grow by 2.5 million people between 2008 and 2050, for a total of close to 5.8 million residents by 2050.
Figure 1: 2008 Population Distribution by River Basin.
The vast majority of Colorado's population is concentrated on the eastern side of the state,
a trend that is expected to continue through 2050. 
These new residents will drive demand for additional municipal water supply. Accounting for "passive" reductions in per capita use as old and inefficient appliances and fixtures are gradually replaced over time, demands for the 5.8 million residents and industry along the Front Range will be approximately 1.06 million acre-feet in 2050—an increase of 365,000 acre-feet annually compared to today's water needs.
Figure 4: Estimate of Front Range Water Needs.
Using the most current CWCB data, we assume the Front Range will need 365,000 acre-feet of additional supply by 2050 to fully meet projected demands. 