GREELEY, Colo. — The Water and Sewer Board on July 16 adopted a resolution supporting the Northern Colorado Water Alliance’s regional principles, a cooperative statement intended to discourage transfers of local water rights out of the Northern Colorado Front Range and to encourage regional collaboration.

Leah (staff) described the alliance as an 18-member forum convened to build trust among providers and stakeholders, educate decision-makers and find common approaches to regional water challenges. The principles prioritize collaboration to protect regional water resources and to discourage transactions that would export water out of the region without appropriate mitigation.

Board members and staff acknowledged the document has limited legal teeth. Several speakers, including Leah and Chairman Evans, said Greeley’s existing legal tools — water‑court participation and active mitigation strategies — remain the primary means to protect local supplies. Leah reported staff had solicited feedback from ditch companies and other stakeholders; some said agricultural representation should be stronger in the alliance.

The board voted to adopt the resolution in the form presented and to participate in regional discussion. Staff said member organizations pay modest dues (staff reported that larger members pay about $5,000) and that the alliance provides a facilitated table for multi-party discussion. The board also asked staff to remain engaged to ensure the alliance’s activity complements, not supplants, the city’s established water-rights protections.