Bill Ritter and Bob Beauprez were Colorado Water Congress up in Breckenridge yesterday, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "While both touted conservation, Ritter emphasized that global warming also has to be a consideration in setting future water policy. As governor, he says, he would ensure state government took an active role in assessing and grappling with the effects of climate change...
"Also key in water planning, Ritter said, is considering growth along the Front Range. Despite a tremendous population surge in the Denver area, he said, several municipalities have launched successful water-conservation programs, including Denver Water, the state's largest water provider...
"Beauprez also mentioned how Denver Water's 1.2 million customers have dramatically curtailed their use. He said cities can do even more to encourage conservation, such as cash incentives offered by Las Vegas to residents who replace Kentucky bluegrass with more drought- tolerant grasses...
"Also important to long-term water planning is recognizing the value Colorado residents put on recreational uses such as hiking, kayaking and fishing, Beauprez said...
"Many of the state's water problems will best be addressed in a newly created roundtable process that brings together water leaders from around the state, both Ritter and Beauprez agreed. Beauprez said he hopes that sense of cooperation will find a place in water talks among Western states that share water resources."
Here's the coverage from the Pueblo Chieftain. They write, "Both candidates made it clear they are serious about water issues, however, although their approaches differ. Ritter made this clear by pointing out he opposed Referendum A in 2003, a plan to provide $2 billion for unspecified state water projects, while Beauprez supported the measure. 'The conversation about water changed after Referendum A was defeated,' Ritter said. 'It's now focused on sustainability. Yes, there has to be more storage, but the plan needs to be strategic. If we bond a project, we need to talk to voters about that strategy.'[...]
"Beauprez used a different tack, outlining major needs in each of the state's major river basins - he lamented the low storage levels in John Martin Reservoir in the Arkansas basin, for instance - and called for a continuation of cooperative statewide efforts to meet a projected gap in municipal water supplies. 'We need to find a way to meet our needs without robbing Peter to pay Paul,' Beauprez said. 'Coloradans have come together to meet water needs as often as they have fought.' Beauprez said he is ready to lead the state in acquiring more storage, which he said is vital to filling future water needs. He outlined a three-pronged approach that would put conservation first, stress augmentation of current water uses and build new storage where needed...
"Beauprez also supports a 'cautious, scientific approach' to water quality, whether it's regulating oil shale development or monitoring stream flows. Ritter was less specific about water problems throughout the state, but stressed cooperation to finding ways to make the water supply sustainable and keep rural economies viable...
"Both candidates took pains to praise the efforts of Department of Natural Resources Director Russ George in creating the Interbasin Compact Commission and basin roundtables as a way of encouraging the state to talk about its water future."
Category: Colorado Water
6:57:48 AM 
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