In Colorado, transfer of water from one type of use to another is a historical necessity and will continue throughout Colorado and the semi-arid West. As economic and social needs change, water moves to new areas to satisfy changing needs. Historically, mining utilized the majority of water in Colorado. As population increased the mining water rights moved to agricultural use. Due to improved transportation and the economies of scale in agricultural operations much of our agricultural commodities are produced in areas with climates more conducive to large year-round production. Many small agricultural operations that are no longer profitable have left the market and sold their operations and, in some cases, sold their water rights separately from the land to meet the changing demands.