You are receiving this newsletter because you are a recognized Douglas County community leader and stakeholder.
As County leaders, we must protect our region. Our quality of life is directly connected to our commitment to build a tomorrow that preserves the best of today. This vision includes protecting our natural resources, utilizing our county’s resources in a fiscally-smart manner, and wisely planning for our future. Thank you for standing with us.
State Leaders Duck Meaningful Water Legislation…
Create Yet Another Task Force
Despite vowing to take substantive steps forward on Colorado River water policy this legislative session, state leaders once again ducked this difficult – but urgently needed challenge.
Instead of drafting a meaningful bill to help solve our state’s water crisis, the House and Senate are commissioning yet another state study with a broad, ill-defined scope-of-work and a short time window to advance specific ideas for next year’s legislative session.
Even the bipartisan sponsors of the task force have stated publicly that there is an urgent need for bold innovation that moves beyond the status quo.
What exactly this latest commission would uncover in terms of new ideas or scientific data that has been overlooked is not clear.
The menu has largely been unchanged for decades: increase conservation, reduce over reliance on non-renewable aquifers, embrace new water-efficient technologies (particularly in agriculture), expand water supply, and find new ways to deliver high-quality renewable water to fast growing Colorado communities.
The growing concern in the Colorado River basin, which is now the focus of potential federal action to mandate reduced usage of the waterway, makes the need for action even more urgent.
Flows on the Colorado River have dropped 20 percent in the last two decades while 40 million people in the region still rely on it as their main water supply.
Creating another study committee doesn’t fit anybody’s idea of “acting with urgency.”
To no surprise, the new state water task force was panned in the media by a number of experts.
“We’re not short on ideas,” said Dan Beard, former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation told the Denver Post. “We’re short on action.”
Let’s hope the ticking bomb on the growing Colorado River water crisis pushes this task force for bold, outside-the-box proposals.
Another report filled with status quo ideas gathering dust on a Capitol shelf is the last thing Colorado needs in 2023.
Recent Headlines
Polis' water proposal scaled back to 'drought security' study
Competing efforts from environmental groups and the governor's office were scrapped in favor of a task force.
“When Gov. Jared Polis in January delivered his State of the State address, water was the among most mentioned topics, trailing only housing on the list of subjects the governor touched on most.
House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, echoed the sentiment in her opening day remarks, noting water was going to be among the biggest issues of the session.
But with 18 days to go in the 120-day session, the bill to address the crisis on the Colorado River does not match the lofty proposal hinted at in January. Instead, it's a bill to set up a task force.”
…“Sen. Byron Pelton, A Sterling Republican who is a co-sponsor on the task force bill, is also not thrilled about the lack of Eastern Plains representation, believing it's because no one understands the importance of the Colorado to the Eastern Plains.
Colorado’s legislative leadership promised this year that the state’s water problems would be the “centerpiece” of conservation efforts but their keystone proposal focused on the Colorado River and widespread drought plaguing the West is to study the issue further.
Parker Water: Costly Bureaucracy and Unchecked Local Control
A questionable $52M office building puts board in hot water before May 2 election.
…Without much fanfare or input, — I’m sorry, but public meetings are rarely convenient for your typical working Coloradan businessperson and/or parent — somehow a $52 million, 139,000-square-foot PWSD staff office building and headquarters is moving forward on the town’s outskirts. It’s a facility so lavish that both its architect and builder showcase it on their websites.
Unlike most Colorado companies of similar size that carefully watch the spending on their balance sheets, this public entity felt entitled to throw piles of public dollars at a luxurious office space reeking of self-indulgence. For many business owners, it’s likely hard to fathom erecting a building of this magnitude in an era in which countless companies are retreating from brick-and-mortar offices and so many sit vacant at a discounted rate.
…That’s why it’s important not to toss out your local water board ballot with the coupon mailers and lawncare ads this spring. For all of us who care about supporting a vibrant economy and a pro-growth business environment, electing smart, accountable and bold leaders in Parker and throughout Colorado is critical.
Did you know? A project authorized 60 years ago is just now underway to provide safe and reliable drinking water to Southern Colorado. Learn more here.
Upcoming News from DCFF
Every other week, DCFF will report on important news and challenges impacting our community. We hope you will stay engaged and connected with us.
