Linking Policy Changes and Resource Management Decisions: A Game Theoretic Analysis of Coordinated Water Management in Colorado

Abstract

"This paper uses game theory to explain the evolution of rules governing ground and surface water in the South Platte River Basin in Colorado. Issues addressed in the analysis include 1) the role of existing institutions in creating credible commitments among actors to follow certain policy change strategies, 2) an examination of other 'off-the path' choices available to actors, 3) the effects of two level games such that efforts at the local level shaped statewide decisions, and 4) the effects of the rule changes on availability of information about ground and surface water in the watershed. From this analysis, the author will consider how water management institutions in Colorado's South Platte support or contradict watershed management theories."