PRESS RELEASE: The Grand Lake, Colorado, Watershed Has Rights of Nature!

For Immediate Release
Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Colorado, 970-218-8310
Ken Fucik, Live Water Alliance, 970-305-7132

The Grand Lake, Colorado, Watershed Has Rights of Nature

Grand Lake, CO: Over the last few weeks, the Board of Trustees and Town Attorney of Grand Lake, Colorado, passed a “Rights of Nature Resolution for the Grand Lake Watershed”. (The resolution is posted here.) The resolution, although not an ordinance with legal authority, provides leadership for the community in its interaction with Nature throughout the watershed. The resolution enhances the protection and stewardship of the watershed as well as calls upon the State of Colorado to enhance protection of the lakes, waterways, and riparian ecosystems in the watershed.

Community member Ken Fucik, who helps lead the Live Water Alliance (described here), led the effort to push the resolution forward with the Board of Trustees. “We’re happy to be in alignment with the Board of Trustees and working together for the protection of the watershed,” said Fucik. “The entire community’s culture and economy are centered around the vast natural beauty surrounding the Lake and the Town, and Rights of Nature is strong statement about our values and our future.”

Grand Lake now becomes the third community in Colorado to protect its rivers and watershed with Rights of Nature, following the Town of Nederland and the Town of Ridgway. All three communities now join the  growing international Rights of Nature movement that seeks to increase legal power to protect Nature and give people a stronger voice in protecting their local environment.

“Grand Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Colorado and we’re thrilled to be helping these Colorado River basin communities protect their local rivers and watershed,” said Gary Wockner whose group, Save The Colorado, is leading the Rights of Nature for Rivers movement in Colorado and the Southwest U.S, and guided the resolution in Grand Lake. “Threats to rivers are increasing due to water privatization, climate change, and population growth and development, and we are excited to help empower these local communities and protect Wild Nature surrounding them.”

Save The Colorado’s “Rights of Nature for Rivers” program is described here on its website. Save The Colorado is working with several additional communities in Colorado and Utah with the goal of creating a large network of local towns and cities working together to better protect rivers and watersheds across the Southwest.

***end***