High above the ground, three six-seater Cessna 210 airplanes are flying in formation. Below them stretches the arid landscape that dominates much of the Colorado River watershed. Inside the planes are college students from around Colorado hoping to get a new perspective on the drought crisis in the Colorado River basin. The eight college students […]
water
Posted inColumns, Opinion, Uncategorized
Ps&Qs: We can’t jump ship
Here’s what I know for sure: water is life, life is fragile, and we are lucky ducks to live on this little frickin’ miracle of existence — the SS Earth. I had a dream recently where I was traveling across the ocean on a steamer when I realized that I was tied to a horse […]
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Carbondale Report: Water rules and bag ban revisited
Tuesday’s meeting, Jan. 24, was somewhat quiet with no public comments and the absence of trustees Erica Sparhawk and Luis Yllanes. Lani Kitching, nursing an illness, joined via Zoom. It was also the birthday of trustee Marty Silverstein! The consent agenda included accounts payable, art gallery permit renewals for Carbondale Arts and the Clay Center, […]
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Cash-for-grass comes to Colorado
Beginning in July, locals may have an opportunity to participate in a cash-for-grass program as part of statewide efforts to reduce water consumption. The turf replacement initiative comes on the heels of Colorado House Bill 1151 passing in June 2022. According to the Colorado General Assembly, “the act requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) […]
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State okays use of treated wastewater for drinking
On Nov. 14, the state’s Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) members gave final approval to regulations that pave the way for treated wastewater from sanitation districts to be used as drinking water. The measure had won unanimous provisional approval by the commissioners at its October meeting. The WQCC is the administrative agency under the Colorado […]
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Carbondale Report: Local youth direct trustees
Prior to a regular work session, Carbondale’s Board of Town Trustees took the time to hear from youth representing 10 local classrooms, clubs and teams. To help allocate nicotine tax funds, the youngsters shared lived experience with their town government, displaying annotated maps identifying places where they feel safe, welcome, active and otherwise. Among their […]
Posted inColumns, Opinion, Uncategorized
Ps & Qs: Ship of fools
Do you ever think life is like a treasure hunt? Kind of like a cosmic bingo game and as we gain experiences, the squares on our board fill up until we yell, “Bingo!” For instance, in my life, I have sung karaoke a handful of times — not well mind you, but every time I […]
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Colorado River Basin states fail to agree upon major water conservation measures
Sopris Sun correspondent Olivia Emmer interviewed KUNC’s Water and Environment Reporter covering the Colorado River basin, Alex Hager, about the Bureau of Reclamation’s recent demand to users of Colorado River water. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Would you remind us what happened at the beginning of this summer? The federal government […]
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Land and water woes
The Garfield County Commissioners began their public meeting on Monday, Aug. 15, by issuing a letter to the acting director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Heather Dugan, requesting answers to a list of questions regarding the process by which Sweetwater Lake became Colorado’s 43rd state park. Sweetwater Lake is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, […]
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Carbondale is water secure, but the West is not
On Tuesday, July 19, the town of Carbondale trustees held a work session on water. Mayor Ben Bohmfalk wanted to know whether the town has enough water to service growth, particularly in light of the desire to add housing. He also asked if the town should be doing more to reduce water demand and whether […]