Earth Protect Blog

By Julie McCluskie

Guest Commentary

We’ve reached the crisis point for the Colorado River and the future of the American Southwest. We need creative solutions for living with a river that contains less water yet has more demands for its limited supplies. As a resident of the high country, I know we’ve had exceptional snowfall this year alongside a rainy spring, but one wet year will not solve a decades-long drought that is devastating the West.

I represent the headwaters of the Colorado River, the source of water for more than 40 million people, including 30 tribal nations — a resource essential to sustaining Colorado’s agricultural and Indigenous cultural heritage. Our entire state relies on the water that flows from here westward, or eastward through diversion tunnels to the Front Range.

As the impacts of historic drought compound with increased demands, Colorado leaders have a critical role to play. Our rivers and streams can run at dangerously low levels, threatening drinking water supplies, wildlife and agriculture but also tourism and outdoor recreation.

To facilitate a unified approach toward establishing drought resiliency, my colleagues Sen. Dylan Roberts, Sen. Perry Will, Rep. Marc Catlin and I created the Colorado River Drought Task Force to protect Colorado’s water future. I recently made appointments to the task force, whose work will begin shortly.

By the end of this year, the task force must provide recommendations for state legislation that will be considered in 2024 to address drought through voluntary and compensated reductions in water demands.

I will be blunt: we need bold, inclusive solutions developed through careful collaboration of all those who rely on Colorado River water. The job of our appointees will not be easy, but we’re determined to see this through because our future depends on it.

In the past 30 years, climate-driven drought has reduced Colorado River flows by 20%, with an estimated additional 30% reduction by 2050. Out-of-state interests are looking to profit by buying up water rights, growing communities are increasing demands on the river, and each of the Colorado River Basin states are gearing up to fight for as much of its water as they can.

Just as the threats to our water are varied, so are the uses and demands on our supply. The Western Slope is home to generational farmers and ranchers who need water to provide food for the country. The state’s agriculture industry contributes more than $47 billion to our economy and employs about 195,000 people.

Although healthy rivers support healthy farms, they also support tribal cultural practices and a vibrant outdoor recreation economy. Our rivers and streams support fishing, kayaking, and rafting, while reservoirs support snowmaking, swimming and other watercraft sports. According to the Organization Business for Water Stewardship, Colorado’s river recreation industry accounts for nearly $19 billion in annual economic output and creates 131,000 jobs.

To protect Colorado’s water users, we must lead, otherwise, we will find ourselves being led. The Colorado River Drought Task Force brings together state agencies, farmers, ranchers, water providers, water conservation districts, tribal nations, environmentalists and others to make clear recommendations to protect Colorado’s water. The Colorado River touches everyone’s lives; it’s the fabric that weaves together the entire state and is why the task force must listen, reflect and uplift the voices of our diverse state during the forthcoming public meetings.

I expect nothing short of robust, sustainable solutions crafted by the task force to help all sectors of our economy prepare for increasingly dire consequences of a hotter, drier future.

Recommendations from this task force will allow Colorado to become more resilient to the demands of the River and help us adapt to preserve our Colorado way of life.

As the first female speaker from the Western Slope, protecting Colorado’s stable water supply is always top of mind. It is now up to each of the members of this task force to be solution-oriented, emphatic and creative. Future generations require nothing less, and I look forward to seeing recommendations this year.

Speaker Julie McCluskie represents House District 13, which includes Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park and Summit counties.