Water Rights of the Wild Wild West
I recently attended a seminar on the history of "Water in the West" at the Kelver library in Byers. Maryanne, was a professor of Sociology from Front Range Community College in Denver. She had quite a bit to say about the origins of water rights and irrigation that began when Colorado first became a territory. She highlighted that although the Eastern Plains does get water from river basins (above ground sources) like the Platt, Arkansas and others, the majority of the water that we get along the corridor comes from groundwater. These ground water sources come from aquifers and tributaries from basins underground.
Those river basins are plentiful, enough for the farmers and ranchers along the Eastern Plains. However, the Colorado water laws were written in the 1800's and have not changed much since then. Our state operates under a "Prior Appropriation System" The first person who used water has "senior" rights to use that water within a particular stream system. Only after these original holders get their water, can anyone else dig into streams and aquifers. |
Many of the issues and disagreements over water stem from both lack of knowledge/understanding of these past appropriations, and the increasing demand and competition for the groundwater sources in the area. The increase in the number of residents in the towns along the corridor are certainly going to impact the availability and access to water for household use, as well as agriculture. According to the presenting professor, the population of 5.75 million residents in the state of Colorado has more than doubled in the last 40 years. Studies show that those numbers will reach 8 million by 2040, and expand to 10 million by 2050. That will put even more pressure on the water systems, and strain on the already unsteady relationship between lawmakers and residents fighting over water rights and making sure that the system is fair.
Look for more on this topic in the next few months! For an in depth look into the laws, maps and geological studies, check out this site.
Look for more on this topic in the next few months! For an in depth look into the laws, maps and geological studies, check out this site.
Natural Gas Prices for Eastern Plains Projected to Double!
Many of the residents along the corridor have Colorado Natural Gas as one of their utility companies. This month, we received a notice that the company filed an application to increase the price of natural gas for all customers. This change will affect all customers, especially along the Eastern Plains. For some reason though, those customers in the mountains, and in Pueblo will see a decrease.
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This increase comes on the heels of the property assessments we all got last month. The hits just keep coming!
This new "tariff" proposal, if accepted, will change the rate that we are paying from $2.77 to $4.30. It will begin June 1st of this year.
So it's time to rally the troops. Let's flood the inbox of the Public Utilities Commission and let them know that this is unacceptable. We can't continue to be the ones who carry the burden of this administration's decisions to cut fracking and drilling, causing prices to skyrocket. I just visited the website (see link below) and it took me 5 minutes to lodge a complaint. So if you have a minute, it could make all the difference. Strength in numbers!
Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs
Phone: 303-869-3490
Email: [email protected]
Website: puc.colorado.gov/puccomments
This new "tariff" proposal, if accepted, will change the rate that we are paying from $2.77 to $4.30. It will begin June 1st of this year.
So it's time to rally the troops. Let's flood the inbox of the Public Utilities Commission and let them know that this is unacceptable. We can't continue to be the ones who carry the burden of this administration's decisions to cut fracking and drilling, causing prices to skyrocket. I just visited the website (see link below) and it took me 5 minutes to lodge a complaint. So if you have a minute, it could make all the difference. Strength in numbers!
Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs
Phone: 303-869-3490
Email: [email protected]
Website: puc.colorado.gov/puccomments
If you are someone looking for a place to connect, an opportunity to serve, or have a desire to utilize your talents for the greater good, then this might be the group for you. There are many in the communities along the corridor and beyond, that could help create a group that will meet the needs of the local elderly, youth and small businesses. The Corridor Community Connections group is in the beginning stages of a network of communities coming together to connect the corridor towns of Strasburg, Byers, Deer Trail, Bennett and beyond.
The meeting that is scheduled for June has been canceled. Many of our members are working on clean up from the hail storm and leadership thought it would be good to take this month off. We will convene in July.
This is a free event, and no membership fee to join if you are interested in signing on. If you want to know more about joining, check out their website here. You will find announcements about individual towns and what the whole group is working on. If you have a local business, they would love to highlight it on the corridor business directory. Below, you will see a calendar for the eastern plains activities in which you can participate. Have a submission for the calendar? An event or meeting that all can benefit from? Click the button below! |
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Highlighted Events From the Calendar
Mountain View Fellowship Church, in Strasburg, is hosting its first Summer Vendor Fair on Saturday, June 10 from 10am-2pm, and we want you to join us for a great shopping experience. We've got over 20 vendors coming including Moreno's Tacos, Kona Ice, Grafted Yolk Farm (produce, herbs, eggs, flowers), Sugar Crumbs Bakery, and more! Plus we'll have the Strasburg Fire Department on hand as well as Car Seat Safety checks. We're still accepting vendor registrations, too! For more information or to register, click this link.
Every year the Town of Bennett hosts a clean up event for residents to get rid of their green waste, electronic waste and other household goods. Clean Up Day is held at Green For Life East Regional Landfill. Saturday, June 10, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Green For Life East Regional Landfill 8201 Schumaker Rd., Bennett, CO 80102 Large Dump Site *No paint, oil, chemicals, hazardous materials, pharmaceuticals, tires, refrigerators or stoves. No CRT/Tube, Flat Screen TVs or any TVs containing lead or mercury. Paper Shredding Hazardous items not including: TVs, appliances, paints, liquids, batteries, oil, antifreeze, chemicals, tires and anything with Freon. |