In May 2013, Gov. Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a plan for Colorado’s water future. Building on more than eight years of collaboration, the Southwest portion of the plan has been the work of regional water leaders, incorporating input from water users all around the basin. Our region’s draft plan was submitted last July, the statewide draft plan was submitted to the governor in December, and our basin implementation plan is currently being finalized for an April submittal – and there is still time to provide comments.
Of the public input on the state plan so far, nearly half has been from the Eastern Slope and only 8 percent from Southwest Colorado. As the public education, participation and outreach liaison for the Southwest Basin Roundtable, I am hopeful we can increase that statistic. The water plan is intended to be balanced, yet very few Western Slope residents have expressed their views and interests.
There are several ways you can help make our local voice heard. Download our area’s draft plan and the statewide draft plan at: http://coloradowaterplan.com. Submit comments about our BIP by March 16 directly to carrie@durangowater.com. There is a general comment form on the website as well. Please take a few moments to become familiar with the State Water Plan and be a part of the discussion.
Denise Rue-Pastin
Durango
