Colorado River Update: Defending The Colorado Is Our Job!

Hi Friends of the Colorado River!

When they tried to further dam, drain, and divert the Colorado, we’ve stood up to stop them!

This week, we filed “motion to intervene” in the bizarre lawsuit that Denver Water filed against Boulder County, Colorado. Two days later, the court granted our motion, and so we will stand up to Defend Boulder County against Denver Water’s proposed tallest dam in the history of Colorado. This lawsuit is so ridiculous, it should be embarrassing to Denver Water — and its ratepayers and board — that it’s actually occurring. The proposed expansion of Gross Dam in Boulder County would further drain the Colorado River and be the biggest construction project in Boulder County history. Massive negative impacts would occur to the environment and to the local citizens, but yet Denver Water believes it doesn’t even need a permit from Boulder County for the project. The Boulder County Commissioners voted unanimously to force Denver Water through a permit process, and Denver Water sued the County.

The story about our motion to intervene was covered by the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper (see story here), and I wrote an op-ed about it too (see op-ed here). In the op-ed, I state:

“In these strange political times, where the outrages against our environment and democracy seem to multiply daily, we believe it is extremely important to stand in defense of governments that stand up to these outrages. Boulder County has stood up strongly and loudly against the bully Denver Water in an effort to protect Boulder County’s environment, residents and property owners, and so we are standing up to help defend Boulder County against this abuse.” 

It’s your financial support that keeps us STANDING UP to defend the Colorado River! Please donate online by clicking here.

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LET’S GO RAFTING!

Once again, OARS Whitewater Rafting is offering us a rafting trip in 2019, this year a warm July trip on the San Juan River. 

The 4-day, fully supported, deluxe trip is from July 30 – Aug 2, and is a fundraiser for Save The Colorado to support our work to fight proposed new dams and diversions on the Colorado River system. During the trip, you will learn more about our work, including information about multiple new proposed dams that we are fighting, the Colorado River “drought contingency plan”, and all the hullabaloo around the increasing demise of Glen Canyon Dam.

A calm, congenial river, the San Juan offers a relaxing rafting trip through a red rock labyrinth livened up by paddling fun, easy rapids. This is a chance to explore one of the most complex canyons in the Colorado Plateau as you zigzag over seven miles through the impressive Goosenecks of the Lower San Juan, where dramatic walls tower up to 1,000 feet in places.

The stunning sights don’t end there. As you head downstream you’re treated to glimpses of other rocky wonders like Cedar Mesa, Cowboy Hat and Eagle Rock, Native American ruins hidden atop cliffs, bighorn sheep grazing along the shore and brilliant star-filled desert skies. And just when you think the San Juan River can’t get any better, a stop to explore Slickhorn Gulch provides a refreshing dip in natural plunge pools and other hidden surprises nestled in this beautiful side canyon.

Click here to read more about the trip and reserve your seat! https://www.oars.com/events/save-colorado-fundraiser/

Let’s Go Rafting! We will see you on the San Juan!

Thank you for your support!

Gary Wockner
Director, Save The Colorado