May 2026 | From the General Manager

This has been a very important last couple of weeks for the rural communities of southeastern Colorado, with several significant developments, including the passage of HB26-1340, a bipartisan effort to bring long-overdue accountability and responsible land stewardship to permanently dried-up farmland.

For the first time in Colorado, this new law establishes that when irrigation water is permanently removed from farmland for other uses, the responsibility to properly revegetate and reclaim that land belongs to the entity removing the water. It also strengthens the role of local counties by requiring water courts to incorporate county revegetation criteria and enforcement mechanisms into change-of-use decrees. At its core, this law sets clear expectations, creates accountability, and helps protect the land, neighboring landowners, and rural communities left behind when water leaves.

We are grateful to the bill sponsors and lawmakers from both parties who recognized the importance of protecting the long-term health, safety, and sustainability of Colorado’s agricultural landscapes and rural communities.

We also want to thank The Colorado Sun for hosting last week’s Arkansas River water panel discussion in Rocky Ford focused on water, growth, and the future of “buy and dry” in Colorado. Bringing this conversation to the Lower Arkansas Valley helped ensure the discussion remained connected to the communities most directly impacted by these decisions.

These conversations are not always easy, but they are necessary. We remain committed to advocating for practical solutions that protect agriculture, support rural communities, and help ensure Colorado’s water future is built on respect for the people and landscapes that feed and fuel our state.

Thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and support.

Jack Goble
General Manager
Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District