The W-Y Groundwater Management District was formed in 1967 and adopted its initial rules on May 22nd, 1972 and they went into effect on July 28th of that same year.
The Colorado Ground Water Commission (containing nine members appointed by the Governor and three ex officio members) is the regulatory and adjudicatory body authorized by the General Assembly to administer groundwater resources within the Designated Basins. The Ground Water Commission has established eight Designated Groundwater Basins and thirteen Ground Water Management Districts within the Designated Basins areas. The Ground Water Management Districts (GWMD) are authorized to adopt additional rules and regulations to help administer groundwater within their districts.