Author: jameswburke

The Colorado River accounts for approximately one-third of Southern California’s water supply, while the rest comes from Northern California and local sources. 

Most of what California draws from the Colorado River goes to crop irrigation. Drinking water is managed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which brings water from the Colorado River through the Colorado River Aqueduct. The district serves about 18 million people, including Los Angeles and San Diego counties. 

The Colorado River Compact, a 1922 agreement that allocated the river’s water, lets California draw up to 4.4 million acre-feet per year. Colorado was allocated up to 3.85 million acre-feet. In all, the U.S. can draw up to 15 million acre-feet, and Mexico up to 1.5 million acre-feet. 

However, these allocations exceed the current annual water supply partly due to years of drought in the West. That means parties to the agreement receive less than their full allocation.  

The Colorado River accounts for approximately one-third of Southern California’s water supply, while the rest comes from Northern California and local sources. 

Most of what California draws from the Colorado River goes to crop irrigation. Drinking water is managed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which brings water from the Colorado River through the Colorado River Aqueduct. The district serves about 18 million people, including Los Angeles and San Diego counties. 

The Colorado River Compact, a 1922 agreement that allocated the river’s water, lets California draw up to 4.4 million acre-feet per year. Colorado was allocated up to 3.85 million acre-feet. In all, the U.S. can draw up to 15 million acre-feet, and Mexico up to 1.5 million acre-feet. 

However, these allocations exceed the current annual water supply partly due to years of drought in the West. That means parties to the agreement receive less than their full allocation.  

Employers in Colorado may request “reasonable documentation” for sick leave only if an employee takes off four or more consecutive days.

Policies that require doctor’s notes for absences less than four days, or that require them before granting sick leave, violate the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. The law grants all employees — part time and full time — one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Sick leave must be paid at the same rate as working hours. 

Sick leave can be used for health reasons, such as illness, injury or caring for a family member, and safety reasons, including a public health emergency, domestic abuse or unexpected events like wildfires that force employees from their homes.   

Documentation for absences of four or more consecutive days only needs to show the leave is for a valid reason under the law.