This book contains descriptions of Colorado that were written by early explorers and pioneers, and the development of irrigated agriculture in Colorado. It also describes the series of incidents that led up to the adoption of the Prior Appropriation Doctrine. It also includes a section concerning the activities of the Constitutional Convention which led to the adoption of Colorado’sState Constitution that stated that the Prior Appropriation Doctrine will be used. The book tells the early Colorado history with the legislative history which established the means for determining water rights priorities and the creation of the water commissioner positions. These would be the individuals who had the responsibility to enforce the priority system during times of water shortages. The legislature subsequently created the position of State Engineer, who originally was only responsible for providing stream flow information and establishing standard measuring devices that would be utilized to measure the flows of water diverted by each irrigation ditch. Later, additional responsibilities were either added or removed from the responsibilities of the State Engineer and the office.