The Colorado River Basin is just one example, albeit an extremely important one in the West, of a stressed river system. The Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study, released by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in late 2012, documents how growth, climate, economic development, and other factors point to an uncertain picture for communities, rural and urban alike. This policy brief highlights key questions communities should consider as they plan for their water futures. Communities large and small must prepare themselves for the economic and hydrologic implications of greater conservation in the municipal and industrial sectors, increased agricultural efficiencies, water transfers that may involve land fallowing, increased consideration of water for natural resources, and investments in more advanced treatment technologies. They will be positioned to make better decisions if their residents – who ultimately are the farmers and ranchers, the business operators, the environmentalists, and the recreationists – are informed and excited about water.