Rain and snow which fall on the western slope do not inevitably flow westward. There are a number of trans-mountain diversions of Colorado River water eastward

Rain and snow which fall on the western slope do not inevitably flow westward. There are a number of trans-mountain diversions of Colorado River water eastward under the continental divide. Denver Water alone collects 50% of its drinking water from the tributaries of the Colorado River on the west side of the continental divide. Water diverted from the Colorado River Basin, through trans-mountain diversions, makes up 60-70% of the water used by Colorado Springs. For example, see https://www.denverwater.org/your-water/water-supply-and-planning/watershed-protection-and-management https://www.denverwater.org/your-water/water-supply-and-plan... Much of the water used by Fort Collins and Greeley comes from the western slope through the Adams Tunnel under Rocky Mountain National Park. https://www.northernwater.org/ https://www.northernwater.org/