A growing number of anglers, concerned about the health of the upper Colorado River Basin, is putting pressure on legislators to stop diverting water to feed development on Colorado’s Front Range. A group of sportsmen, boaters, wildlife enthusiasts, and others rallied on the steps of the state capitol yesterday to draw attention to the problem and to show Governor Hickenlooper that there is broad-based opposition to the proposed water plan. The governor has gone on record claiming that the water diversion plan “comprehensively addresses impacts to Colorado’s fish and wildlife.”
As most people know, the mighty Colorado River is so dewatered in its lower reaches that it rarely makes it to the Sea of Cortez. So much water is sucked out to supply the needs of Southern California and cities such as Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas that the river’s delta is often dry. Given that precedent, we must do everything we can to protect the headwaters of the system, which are vital to fish and wildlife.
For more information, and to see how you can help, go to the Defend the Upper Colorado website.