(1) It is hereby declared that to provide for the conservation of all water resources of the state of Colorado and for the greatest beneficial use of all waters, surface and subsurface, within this state, the organization of metropolitan water districts and the construction of works as defined in this part 4 by such districts are a public use and will:

(a) Be essentially for the public benefit and advantage of the people of the state of Colorado;

(b) Indirectly benefit all industries of the state;

(c) Indirectly benefit the state of Colorado in the increase of its taxable property valuation;

(d) Directly benefit municipalities by providing adequate supplies of water for domestic use;

(e) Directly benefit lands to be irrigated from works to be constructed;

(f) Directly benefit lands under irrigation by stabilizing the flow of water in streams and by increasing flow and return of water to such streams; and

(g) Promote the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people of the state of Colorado.

(2) It is therefore declared to be the policy of the state of Colorado:

(a) To investigate, acquire, control, and apply to beneficial use waters, surface and subsurface, originating in this state; and to provide for the direct and supplemental use of such waters for domestic, manufacturing, irrigation, power, and other beneficial uses;

(b) To obtain from waters, surface and subsurface, originating in Colorado the highest duty for domestic uses and irrigation of lands in Colorado within the terms of interstate compacts;

(c) To cooperate with the United States under the federal reclamation laws and with other agencies of the United States government for the construction and financing of works in the state of Colorado as defined in this part 4 and for the operation and maintenance thereof; and

(d) To promote the greater prosperity and general welfare of the people of the state of Colorado by encouraging the organization of metropolitan water districts as provided in this part 4.