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Saturday, August 19, 2006
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Here's a report about this week's gubernatorial forum between Bob Beauprez and Bill Ritter, from the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "The forum was at a breakfast meeting sponsored by the Jefferson and Aurora Economic Development Councils, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the West Chamber and attended by some 375 business and civic leaders. Among the topics covered were how the candidates would make Colorado more competitive, toll roads, traffic solutions along west Interstate 70, education and infrastructure funding, health care, and water...
"Water is the lifeblood of Colorado. What would you do to ensure we have enough water for our needs?
"Ritter: There needs to be more reuse of water, more conservation, and water can't be taken from one community at the expense of another. In wet years, aquifers should be recharged with water. There probably also is a need for a limited number of small water-storage facilities.
"Beauprez: Colorado's water strategy has been, 'we hope it doesn't get dry again...That is not a very good bet to take.' Conservation is important, but not enough. The state is letting a million-acre feet of water-the equivalent of four Dillon reservoirs-leave the state when it could legally stay in Colorado. Keeping it here is 'not stealing it from anyone.'"
Read the whole article for more detailed answers from candidates.
Here's an article about the governors race from the Denver Post. They write, "Colorado's gubernatorial candidates attacked each other over illegal immigration on Wednesday - stoking an issue that has burned in state politics all year. The sparring between Republican Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter, however, takes place as Colorado has adopted the most laws to restrict illegal immigrants of any state...
"Still, Beauprez and Ritter battle on. Beauprez's campaign alleged that while Ritter was Denver district attorney, he was soft on illegal immigrants by plea bargaining with them. 'The question is why would you not pursue them to the fullest extent of the law and keep them in custody?' said Beauprez spokesman John Marshall. During his 12-year tenure, Ritter's office took plea bargains in 97 percent of the cases it handled. Specific details for cases involving illegal immigrants are not available. Prosecutors in the nation's largest counties took plea bargains 95 percent of the time, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The Ritter campaign fired back that Beauprez was 'doing nothing' on the issue in Congress, and he is now misusing taxpayers' money to promote two congressional town hall meetings on the topic today."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
9:12:38 AM 
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Colorado Springs has abandoned the idea an inflatable dam to help control sewage spills on Fountain Creek, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. From the article, "Five months after authorizing the building of an inflatable dam on Fountain Creek to block sewage spills, Colorado Springs has abandoned the idea. This week, Colorado Springs Utilities officials said they've found a better, and cheaper, way to halt spills that have angered Pueblo leaders downstream and led the 10th Judicial District attorney to sue Colorado Springs. In March, the city estimated the dam's cost at $10.5 million. On Wednesday, Utilities employees told the Utility Board the cost had grown to $13.2 million as the project underwent further design. The idea was for the dam to inflate during spills, blocking water flowing south. Creek water would be diverted into an existing pond at the Sand Creek site, to a yet-to-be-built holding pond and then to a treatment plant.
"The new option would divert spillage into a holding pond, using an existing diversion dam built in 2002. The water would be channeled to another pond from which it would be pumped to the Las Vegas Street treatment plant. The project is estimated at $9.6 million, a savings of about $3.6 million. The project would accommodate 18.5 million gallons, or about four hours of flow 300 days of the year, officials said. Although the new alternative appears to be a favored option, Utilities officials said they're still studying alternatives and will complete a recommendation next month...
"Utilities CEO Jerry Forte said the new option provides a 'huge advantage' over the inflatable dam, because it won't rely on electrical pumps, which could fail in an emergency. 'Congratulations on finding a facility already in place and making it work,' Mayor Lionel Rivera said after the presentation. The inflatable dam's cost was to be funded by raising wastewater bills next year by about 35 cents a month. It's unclear whether that increase still is in the offing."
Category: Colorado Water
8:59:23 AM
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Colorado Springs has been fighting with Pueblo over the Springs' proposed Southern Delivery System and it's anticipated effect on Fountain Creek. Colorado Springs' officials want the project to help with anticipated population growth. So how is the SDS progressing? Here's an update from the Colorado Springs Gazette.
From the article, "Colorado Springs Utilities has spent nearly 10 percent of the estimated $593 million cost of a pipeline project's first phase, and not a spade of dirt has been turned. The Southern Delivery System would pipe water from Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs for treatment and distribution. The first phase includes three pump stations, 43 miles of 66-inch pipe, a 50 million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant, 15 miles of water mains and two city pump stations. Much of the money has been spent on engineering, management and environmental permits - all necessary before construction can begin. The city has spent $54.1 million, Utilities officials said. A cost breakdown of nine categories presented to the Utility Board on Wednesday fell short of the total by $1.4 million, because of an 'honest mistake' - one category was omitted. The category was overhead, which included staff time, copier and computer use, said Utilities spokeswoman Janet Rummel...
"Not included in the first phase is construction of Jimmy Camp Creek Reservoir in northeast Colorado Springs, for which Utilities recently spent $6.4 million to buy 400 acres from 14 property owners. The deals have been criticized as imprudent by the city auditor and City Council members, because the city paid more than appraised value and gave owners $2 million in 'relocation costs' but allowed them to stay put for $300-a-month rent. Negotiations are under way for 1,474 more acres, owned by the Banning Lewis Ranch Management Co., for the reservoir. Although Jimmy Camp Creek remains the preferred reservoir site, officials also are considering Williams Creek. The Williams Creek site, at South Marksheffel and Drennan roads, has long been a potential second site, as federal authorities examine seven alternatives in their environmental impact review process. Southern Delivery System manager Gary Bostrom told the board Wednesday that officials are weighing costs of both before making a decision."
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
8:51:17 AM
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Numerous hopefuls are trying to get a share of transmountain water from the Arkansas, according to the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article, "Dividing transmountain waters that once served dried-up agricultural lands in the Arkansas Valley is likely to be a complicated process for the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The Southeastern District has received 33 separate applications from 31 entities seeking water that once provided supplemental irrigation to 16,649 acres of land on farms along the Colorado Canal in Crowley County, which had been purchased by Aurora in the 1980s. Colorado Springs land in Crowley County was purchased at the same time from the Foxley Land and Cattle Co., so was not eligible for Fryingpan-Arkansas water. The Southeastern allocation committee will consider the requests Sept. 12. The deadline for requests has passed and no new requests will be accepted."
Category: Colorado Water
8:34:34 AM
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© Copyright
2006
John Orr.
Last update:
12/29/06; 12:05:02 PM.
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