Protecting Our Water and Our Way of Life

Rocky Ford Screening of Mirasol A Success

On Wednesday February 12, 120 people braved the bitter cold weather and joined the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District for a meal and a conversation about the importance of protecting agriculture, water, and our rural communities in the Lower Arkansas Valley. We welcomed farmers, elected officials, and community members and leaders to a special film screening of Mirasol, Looking at the Sun, featuring one of our very own from Rocky Ford, Dr. Mike Bartolo. 

Mirasol captures the story of our rural farming neighbors in Pueblo who are fighting to protect their land, water, and in turn their culture and way of life. This story mirrors our own here in the Lower Valley. 

For decades, the Lower Arkansas Valley has been a battleground for water rights as Front Range cities like Colorado Springs and Aurora have purchased and transferred water to support their unchecked growth. These large-scale water exports began in the 1950s and continue today, resulting in the loss of over 30% of our irrigated agriculture in the Lower Ark Valley.

Nearly 30 years ago, after watching the ongoing devastating economic, environmental, and community impacts of these water exports, concerned farmers and citizens began meeting to discuss the formation of a water conservancy district in the region to try and prevent it from drying up. The 2002 drought, the worst our area had seen in centuries, proved to be a pivotal moment. Our Lower Valley communities rallied and voters approved Referendum 4 that same year with strong support across five counties. This led to the creation of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District in 2002 which continues to serve Pueblo, Crowley, Otero, Bent, and Prowers counties with a commitment to protecting water resources today and for future generations.

While we’ve made some good progress, the reality is, 24 years later, the fight to protect our valley has never been more important - and urgent - and one that we take very seriously. 

The Lower District hosted this event to talk more about these issues and to share the Mirasol film that the District got involved with last year.  When rural communities like ours lose our water, our economic foundation - it has lasting and devastating effects. No one knows that more than all of us here in the Lower Ark Valley. 

We believe Colorado, and more specifically our valley, is at an inflection point - and the choices we make today and in the near future will determine whether we maintain what we have – or lose it.

General Manager Jack Goble shared a call to action during his event remarks acknowledging that we in the Lower Ark Valley water community know that there are opportunities for disagreements with each other. But like a family, when faced with a challenge as big as the one before us, we must stand together to protect our own.

The Lower Ark District looks forward to working with the leadership of our counties, cities, and other municipalities on regional and collaborative solutions to strengthen our efforts to mitigate the impacts of water sales and advocate for better outcomes when they do occur. 

Business and community members and leaders no doubt understand what it would mean to lose any more of our local economy and our way of life through the continued loss of agricultural lands and water. We welcome everyone to join us in advocating for responsible water preservation and the District looks forward to keeping the community apprised of opportunities as they arise.

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Dedicated to those who work the land and feed our country.

Thank you to the farmers, ranchers, and others in agriculture.

You truly are the backbone of our communities and our country. We are thankful for your willingness to face so many obstacles out of your control to keep our country fed and our communities alive. We look forward to working together with you to protect your way of life and collaborate on new ideas to help you succeed, as that benefits us all.

Please consider the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District as a resource and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to get involved. Thank you again for your time and commitment to protecting our water and our way of life.