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.
Communities CAN Run Out of Water.
Ask Coalinga, California.
Can an entire community really run out of water?
While it’s tempting to label that an exaggeration, or even a scare tactic, it’s a very real prospect for at least one California community that is scrambling to fill in a water deficit – before the taps run dry later this month.
A recent CNN story told the tale of Coalinga, Calif., which is suffering from the effects of the
lingering drought that is hitting the West hard.
Dwindling water supplies sparked a recent
federal order cutting the town’s allotment from an area reservoir by 80 percent. At the same
time, water prices have soared, with costs tripling or more in recent years.
The result? A water deficit requiring the city to go on the open market to purchase water, with
an unexpected budget cost of $1.1 million for a community whose totally annual budget is
roughly $10 million, according to a report in the Fresno Bee. The city is not guaranteed to have sufficient water supplies to see it through the end of 2022.
To keep the taps flowing at least temporarily, the city had to purchase water for $1,900 per
acre-foot, more than ten times the $130 per acre-foot it usually pays.
Local officials said the $1,900 cost was the best they could find, with some sellers asking $5,000 per acre-foot. Needless to say, the local fiscal and economic dislocation stemming from this water crisis is stark.
Front range communities are already experiencing the need to impose water restrictions.
Residents and businesses in municipalities such as Castle Rock, Castle Pines North, Fountain, Aurora, Brighton, Thornton, Pueblo West, and others are seeing firsthand that the our water dilemmas are real and growing.
The saga of Coalinga is a stark warning of the continuing decline of water resources, and the
need for leaders in Douglas County and other areas in the West to take proactive steps now to lock in future water supplies at reasonable rates.
Responsible, proactive solutions can ensure that people and businesses in our county never have to face the true water crisis that Coalinga faces today.
Recent Headlines
Adapting Colorado’s Water Systems for a 21st Century Economy and Water Supply
Driven by migration from other states, Colorado is expected to continue to grow at a significant rate, particularly along the Front Range, the I-70 corridor and in Southwestern Colorado. By 2050, Colorado’s population is expected to grow to 7.5 million; an increase of 1.7 million people.
At the same time, there is significant pressure on our water supply from climate change and resulting aridification. Colorado’s climate is getting hotter and drier, with longer and more severe droughts interrupted by periods of wetter and more severe storms.
The projections for Colorado’s most populated river basin, the South Platte which covers metro Denver, bear this out. While water flows are projected to decrease by 34% by 2090, the State Water Plan projects the population could increase by 55% by 2050 under business as usual.
Already, reliable and affordable water service to homes has become a major expense that impacts the cost of housing. This cost is anticipated to escalate and become a driving factor in the housing market and rates of home ownership, particularly in workforce housing and for first- time homebuyers.
Key takeaways from CSI's Water Systems and Water Supply report:
Colorado will have to do more with less - Incentivize regional collaboration and reduce the competition for water.
The cost of water along the Front Range is going up at an exponential rate - Increase demand management programs to reduce the need for acquiring additional water supplies.
A large portion of our state’s share of Colorado River supplies, including those used for transbasin diversions, are at risk - The state must act to secure existing supplies and be prepared to use less from the river in the future.
Preserving agricultural water supplies is becoming more challenging and yet more critical to the state’s diversified economy – Action is needed to prioritize long-term water supplies for agriculture.
Climate change is impacting more than just the supply of water – Action is needed to increase resiliency of critical watersheds, aquatic habitats and the recreation industry.
Colorado’s rivers are part of a much larger interconnected system - Colorado must be a leader in the development of innovative cooperative projects both within Colorado and with its neighboring states
Did You Know? A 2019 analysis from the state of Colorado estimated the impacts of not meeting future water needs will ultimately cost the state between 355,000 and 587,000 jobs and reduce state and local tax revenue by between $3.4 billion and $6 billion by 2050.
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.
