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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 Legislation is Only Part of the Answer for Colorado’s Water Future
The state legislature wraps up its work for the year later this week, and among the hundreds of bills considered, were several of varying quality that address state water policy.
One that has received the most attention is bipartisan legislation that provides avenues for owners of water rights to loan water without losing their water rights, and to assist Colorado’s two native tribal nations to implement their water plans.
The content of this bill is a reminder of two important facts:
The vast majority of Colorado's water usage (80 percent or more) is agricultural. Colorado could xeriscape entire suburban communities, eradicating turf, and the overall effect on the state’s water challenges would be marginal.
Finding fixes to help ease water challenges in times of severe drought is useful but not a comprehensive, lasting statewide solution for Colorado water security.
The limits of what the state can accomplish, even through consensus legislation that passes unanimously, underscores the importance of strong, local, and regional solutions rooted in the current reality of water needs.
Smart local policy couples state laws with a reality-based examination of short- and long-term water needs.
Douglas County’s efforts to take stock of water supplies in the context of a county-wide estimation of future growth and expanding demand, helps inform policies that our legislative delegation may pursue in years to come.
Believing that the state alone can fix our local water policy is like driving a car on two wheels.
Recent Headlines
Thornton again asks Larimer County to approve crucial water pipeline needed to grow the city
Thornton on Monday renewed its pleas for Larimer County’s approval of 10 miles of crucial water pipeline, while opponents begged Larimer commissioners to defend the land and water for their residents rather than OK a conduit benefiting people in Adams County.
Denying the 1041 permit, an access approval required by state law, would “massively impact Colorado’s economy,” said Hines development managing director Chad Murphy. “Thornton absolutely needs this water.” Hines developed the Parterre master-planned community in Thornton.
…Thornton spent decades buying up farmland and water rights in Larimer and Weld counties to accommodate future city growth. The pipeline plan outlines potential to add 100,000 residents in coming decades, on top of its current 147,000 people.
Northern Water, Grand County team up to boost Colorado River flows
Grand County and Northern Water have struck a deal that will send more water running down Western Slope streams to benefit farmers, boaters and the environment.
Grand County in northern Colorado is home to nearly 16,000 people, part of Rocky Mountain National Park and the headwaters of the Colorado River. Each year, four major diversion tunnels take up to 350,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water out of the county and push it east to the Front Range. Now, the county and the water provider are agreeing to release water in the opposite direction, to the west.
…Under the agreement, Northern Water would have the option to access more water in dry years. Grand County would have the ability to release up to 7,000 acre-feet of water from Willow Creek Reservoir and Lake Granby — both part of the federal Colorado-Big Thompson, or C-BT, Project managed by Northern Water — into the Colorado River.
…Northern Water expects to purchase the former ranch’s water rights in May.
Backstreet Boys respond to Denver Water's music video parody
...The Denver utility released video from the "Splashstreet Boys" to help the community brush up on Denver's watering rules and restrictions, which began Wednesday.
Did you know? There are 55 transmountain diversions in Colorado. The practice goes back to the 1930s, when transmountain diversions moved water from west to east.
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.
