Colorado Program Monthly Round-Up

It’s been a super-busy month for our Colorado program this year, as rivers run high and politics around rivers do too!

A few highlights:

1. FIBArk was a blast! Celebrating their 66^th anniversary and AW’s 60^th anniversary in Salida was a great way to see old friends, make some new ones, celebrate our victory in ensuring the Arkansas remains open to canoes and kayaks, and chart some important initiatives for the coming year.
2. And speaking of great river trips, we took decision-makers and friends down the Upper Colorado earlier this month, and focused on how high flows are great for habitat and paddlers alike.
3. This month, we completed the new Implementation Plan for the Lower Dolores River, and visited the area in early June, helping host a fly-over for decision makers and reporters to understand the threats to this lifeblood of Southwest Colorado.
4. Our friends at Friends of the Yampa hosted a great river trip for conservationists, decision-makers and others two weeks ago. Read more about that here.
5. We’ve been working hard to help Governor Hickenlooper see just how silly his veto of SB 23 earlier this month. While a major disappointment, we’re hanging together with the diverse coalition of farmers, water providers and conservationists to ensure that the Governor doesn’t get off scot-free from vetoing one of the most innovative river protection measures of the year.
6. We’re continuing to engage in the Colorado State Water Plan process. And while the details are pretty bureaucratic, we remain convinced that this plan will be a critical foundation for the health of our state’s rivers. Some major deadlines are coming up in the Fall, and we’re continuing to press for river protection as a critical component of the plan.
7. In brighter legislative news, we worked to help ensure the passage of a very good bill that mandates water-efficient fixtures around the state. A basic bill, and a great idea for water conservation and river health.
8. And some events that AW wants you to know about!
   1. The Western Rivers Action Network hosted an Environmental and Recreational River Champion Workshop in Golden on Saturday June 28^th – featuring a presentation by AW’s Nathan Fey.
   2. The great film from our friends at Patagonia, DamNation, will screen in Denver on July 7.
   3. July 25 is Colorado River Day – stay tuned for more details!