“Democracy is not something you believe in or a place to hang your hat, but something you do. You participate. If you stop doing it, democracy crumbles.” – Unknown author
Throughout this water series, a persistent theme has emerged: The lack of public engagement, a thread through more than a century of water discourse. In 1922, citizens were not engaged during the formation of the Colorado River Compact. A hundred years later, while state compact commissioners negotiate short-term changes, citizens remain disengaged.
In our quest for solutions to water scarcity, both citizens and water institutions bear a shared responsibility. From the public, the question echoes, “How do we reach our water institutions?”
The perspectives I most often hear from water officials include: “While we have made efforts to engage the public, we recognize that our constituents lead busy lives.” “Our engagement has focused on websites and social media to reach a broader audience.” “We created Colorado’s Water Plan for the benefit of the public.”
What happened to face-to-face dialog?
The approach of unilateral communication from water institutions to consumers with a passive mindset falls short. However, some organizations have succeeded by embracing informing, consulting, involving, collaborating and empowering. These public processes may be messy and time-consuming, but they cultivate trust and yield positive outcomes.
So, which water institutions should active locals target? Consider the following.
* Southwest Water Conservation District. The Colorado General Assembly established the SWWCD in 1941 to protect, conserve, use and develop water resources of the San Juan and Dolores River basins. An appointed volunteer board representing nine counties oversees SWWCD. Statewide water officials consider SWWCD as one of the most influential water organizations. Serving as a board member is an honor and privilege. Bi-monthly public board meetings are held in Durango. I recommend attendance at the SWWCD’s annual conference on March 27.
* Southwest Basin Water Roundtable. The Colorado General Assembly established the roundtable in 2005 through the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act to facilitate discussions among the eight major river basin roundtables and the Denver Metropolitan Roundtable. The roundtable represents the same nine counties that make up the SWWCD. The counties each appoint two representatives as voting members. Voting members make appointments to represent local recreational, agricultural, legislative and business interests. The roundtables managed Colorado’s first state water plan, prepared in 2015 and updated in 2023, to address ever-changing water challenges. Bi-monthly meetings are in Durango and Cortez. Durango will host the next public meeting on April 25.
• La Plata and Montezuma counties. Commissioners appoint the county board member for the SWWCD and two voting members to the roundtable. I recommend the commissioners use a more robust public process with transparency and celebratory fanfare when making appointments. They are your voices on water issues. Commissioners also approve new land use development, one of the leading drivers of increasing water use.
The SWWCD and roundtables had their beginnings 64 years apart to address the challenges of two vastly different eras. Both have overlapping missions, which leads to healthy competition and relevancy. The voluntary board members and voting members are at the heart of both organizations. I admire the professionalism of volunteers, elected officials and staff members.
In the face of an over-allocated Colorado River, climate change, tribal water claims, droughts, increasing municipal water demand and a vulnerable agricultural sector, all water organizations must rise to the occasion through change, innovation, tough decisions and public engagement.
Just as important, citizens have a responsibility to be active participants. Water security and certainty for our kids and grandkids’ future is at stake.
Remember: Power concedes nothing without a demand.
Louis Meyer is a retired civil/water engineer engaged in Western Slope and statewide water issues for the past 45 years. He lives in the north Animas River Valley. In 2013, he was the lead author for Colorado’s Water Plan for the Colorado Basin.
