DENVER  --  Governor Bill Owens announced today the appointment of Peter Evans as director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), the agency responsible for the conservation, development and utilization of the state's water resources.

As CWCB director, Evans will manage a staff of 35, a $3.5 million annual operating budget and a revolving loan fund of about $200 million for water construction projects.

"The continued health of Colorado's economic future and our quality of life depends largely on how well we manage our water resources. The challenges are numerous and complex. We must protect our interests from increased demands for water by downstream states. We must assure adequate supplies for agricultural and domestic uses, as well as for wildlife and the scenic beauty that is so important to our quality of life," Owens said.

"This makes the CWCB director one of the most important positions in state government. We are confident that Peter Evans is the right person for the job."

The CWCB is a division within the Department of Natural Resources, headed by Executive Director Greg Walcher.

Walcher said, "We have complete confidence in Peter Evans. Peter has served the state well as acting director since his predecessor, the late Chuck Lile, retired last year. Peter knows the issues and is highly respected by the many constituency groups who have an interest in water policy. He also has the support of the 13 members of the CWCB, who interviewed the three finalists for the job."

Evans is a third-generation Coloradan from Pueblo. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology from Pomona College and began his state career as a reclamation specialist with the Mined Land Reclamation Board in 1980. After earning his law degree from the University of Denver and spending five years in private practice, Evans returned to the Department of Natural Resources as assistant director and chief legal counsel to the executive director. Other duties included serving as the agency's legislative liaison; representing Colorado in interstate efforts to recover endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado and San Juan river basins; coordinating initial stakeholder involvement in the development of the Colorado River Decision Support System and the Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation.

In 1993, Evans was appointed CWCB deputy director where he coordinated development of the agency's long range plan and managed most of the agency's administrative functions. He has served as acting CWCB director since late 1997.

Evans was selected through an open competitive examination process that attracted more than 70 applicants of whom 32 met the minimum qualifications and were invited to participate in a written test. Fifteen candidates completed the written examination, which narrowed the field to eight candidates who then participated in two oral board interviews. The combined written and oral board results identified the top three scoring candidates, who were referred for final interviews and selection.

The CWCB represents Colorado in many interstate river administration activities. The board also works with local communities to define and manage floodplains, finances water project planning and construction, appropriates water rights for instream flow protection and provides water conservation assistance.

The agency is under the policy direction of a 13-member board comprised of representatives from eight major river drainages and the City and County of Denver plus the Department of Natural Resources executive director, Colorado attorney general, the state engineer and the Division of Wildlife director.