July Summer Update From the General Manager
Summer has arrived across the Lower Arkansas Valley, and I want to recognize the producers who continue to adapt to incredibly challenging conditions while producing the food, fuel, and fiber that sustain our communities.
Our thoughts are with our neighbors in Pueblo, Custer, and Fremont counties who are dealing with the impacts of the Aspen Acres Fire. During times like these, we are reminded that the strength of our communities lies not only in the land and water that sustain us, but also in the people who come together to support one another when it matters most.
Like most of Colorado, southeastern Colorado is experiencing a historic drought driven by an extremely low snowpack and a lack of rainfall, resulting in very limited water supplies. Producers are once again making difficult decisions and stretching every available drop to maintain their cattle herds and bring this year's crops to harvest. Their resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment have sustained agriculture in the Lower Arkansas Valley for generations. Like those who came before them, today's producers will carry on this proud tradition. We thank them for all they do.
On May 29, Governor Polis signed HB26-1340, Colorado's new revegetation legislation, into law. This bipartisan measure brings long-overdue accountability by establishing that when irrigation water is permanently removed from agricultural land for other uses, the responsibility to revegetate and reclaim that land rests with the entity removing the water. This is an important step toward protecting rural landscapes and the communities that depend on them.
As we move through the remainder of the irrigation season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on the Lower Ark District team with any questions or feedback. And make sure to stop by your local farmers market and support the farms and ranches that are the backbone of the Lower Arkansas Valley.
Sincerely,
Jack Goble
General Manager, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District
