Collection System

Collection System: Updated May 26, 2009

Denver Water is responsible for the collection, storage, quality control and distribution of drinking water to 1.3 million people, which is nearly one-fourth of all Coloradans. Almost all of its water comes from mountain snowmelt, and Denver is the first major user in line to use that water. Denver Water’s collection system covers about 4,000 square miles, or 2.5 million acres, and extends into more than eight counties, including:

• Park County: 1.2 million acres
• Grand County: 390,000 acres
• Jefferson County: 280,000 acres
• Summit County: 210,000 acres
• Teller County: 160,000 acres
• Douglas County: 120,000 acres
• Clear Creek County: 70,000 acres
• Gilpin County: 60,000 acres
• Other counties: 20,000 acres

Denver Water’s primary water sources are the South Platte River, Blue River, Williams Fork River and Fraser River watersheds, but it also uses water from the South Boulder Creek, Ralston Creek and Bear Creek watersheds.