Need a Diversion?

Are you one of those people who believe that facts still matter? 

A new study commissioned by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments looks at the economic - and other - effects of trans-mountain diversions on Colorado's headwater counties. The quote below explains a key goal of the report:

"The report provides a counterbalancing perspective to the recent attention to the adverse economic consequences of purchasing agricultural water rights from properties on the Eastern Plains. This report is descriptive; it does not take issue with Front Range municipal water users or Eastern Plains agricultural users. All parties have important and worthy concerns and points of view.

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Don't Leave Home Without It !

Introducing the Spill or Kill Card.

It all started when avid carp angler Trevor Tanner spotted an oily mess in the South Platte near Sand Creek in [far eastern] Denver. Determined to report it, Trevor got on his cell phone and started dialing, trying to find someone who could do something about what turned out to be leak from a buried pipeline.

But who exactly do you call when you notice a toxic spill or fish kill?

It wasn't easy for Trevor, but it will be for you, thanks to the Spill or Kill card produced by the Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Trevor's local chapter.

The toll-free number on the card connects you to the National Response Center for pollution emergencies. This is a 24-hour service of the U.S. Coast Guard, and they'll take it from there. You can print your own Spill or Kill card: Front of the card. Back of the card.

As for Trevor, he's become a hero of sorts. Besides getting his name in the papers, he has just been recognized by The Denver Chapter with a Hero of the South Platte Award. You can read more about Trevor's story in this Denver Post article.

Partnership with Upslope on the Upswing

From its launch in June 2011, the Craft Lager by Upslope Brewing Company has been a hit. Among American-style craft lagers, it quickly gained popularity for its distinct and refreshing flavor. In fact, demand outpaced supply and gave the Boulder-based brewery the business case it needed to more than double its capacity by the end of the year. At least part of the Craft Lager's success can be attributed to the brewery's decision to collaborate with Colorado TU in the 1% For Rivers program. Under the terms of the partnership created by Colorado TU's Sinjin Eberle and Upslope's Henry Wood, one percent of Craft Lager sales are contributed to Colorado TU.

In exchange, Colorado TU leverages its 10,000 members in 23 chapters across the state by promoting Craft Lager at events such as the Statewide River Clean-Up, Rendezvous (the annual membership meeting), Surface Film, the Colorado TU Golf Classic, and more.

Increased production means Craft Lager is now available in over 300 liquor stores, bars and restaurants in Colorado - and counting. "Craft Lager could very much be our number one selling style," boasts Wood. "No Colorado craft brewery is brewing an American-style lager quite like this beer."

"I'm thrilled with the early results," says Eberle, Colorado TU President. "This is a great example of how we can work with businesses to help conserve, protect, and restore Colorado’s rivers and watersheds."

If you are a business that would like to know more about the 1% For Rivers Program, please contact Sinjin Eberle.

Water Rights and Slippery Slopes

Does the forest service have the right to water rights at ski areas?

The ski industry is suing the feds over a regulation that would let the Forest Service "take back" private water rights.

Read the Vail Daily article by Lauren Glendenning

Upper CO: Do More, Damage Less

Good advice for proponents of Chimney Hollow Reservoir

"Wildlife mitigation plans proposed by Northern Water and sanctioned by the state’s Division of Parks and Wildlife do not adequately address the issues," he [Drew Peternell, Director of TU's Colorado Water Project] said. “What we have currently is not enough,” he said. “We believe they can do more to make this a less-damaging project."

"Substantial springtime flows should be guaranteed," he said, "to improve the health of the [upper Colorado] river. Diverting the river around Windy Gap Reservoir should also be considered."

Read: Effects of Chimney Hollow Reservoir would ripple far and wide by Kevin Duggan on Coloradoan.com

CTU applauds new EPA rules for mercury and air toxics

Colorado currently has 22 waterbodies under Fish Consumption Advisories due to high mercury levels - where the fish themselves are literally too toxic to be safely consumed.  These include important fishing waters from Navajo Reservoir to Lake Granby to Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake.  For an organization that has long championed catch-and-release fishing, supporting regulations to make fish consumption safer may seem a bit unusual.  But not only can reductions in mercury and other air toxics help protect the health of anglers and their families that eat some of the fish they catch, it is also good news for the fish themselves.  When a fish is too toxic to be eaten safely, it is a pretty strong indicator that the health of the fish and its habitat are also impacted.  Indeed, research has shown that elevated mercury levels impact trout's olfactory response - which in turn can harm their ability to feed, navigate, and reproduce. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued new rules that will restrict emissions of air toxics including mercury from power plants.  Not only will these changes help reduce air toxics, but they will also contribute to reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides - key pollutants that contribute to acid rain, another threat to fish habitat.  That is why Colorado TU Executive Director David Nickum joined physicians, state and federal officials, and business interests at a press conference at Children's Hospital on January 10, to voice support for EPA's new rules.  "We thank EPA for its efforts to protect the health of fish, the health of habitat, and the health of anglers," Nickum said.

Parks & Wildlife OKs Drilling

Here's an update from an industry release. Parks and Wildlife Commission has given unanimous approval for drilling at the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area. With names like Dejour and Kokopelli, doesn't it sound more like a bistro than an oil and gas operation? Hey, it's only ten acres. And it's in the "rural" section of a state wildlife area. So what's the problem?

At its monthly meeting Thursday, the 14-member commission could authorize Colorado Parks and Wildlife director Rick Cables to negotiate a surface rights agreement to allow for energy development from a 10-acre well pad in a rural section of the park, with stipulations to protect the environment and visitors' experiences. Any drilling likely wouldn't occur until 2013.

Read the full article in the Denver Post

DOW Merger deadline looms

Your last chance to comment on the proposed DOW-Colorado State Parks merger is January 16.

There are several options: You can submit comments by regular mail or email, by completing an online survey, or by attending the January 13 meeting of the Parks and Wildlife Commission at 6060 Broadway.

A second draft of the (lengthy) Merger Implementation Plan has been completed and is also available online. Click here, then follow the link to the Draft Merger Implementation Plan at the bottom of the page.

To provide feedback by completing the online survey, click here.

To email comments, click here.

For information on the January 13 meeting of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, click here.

To submit comments by regular mail:

Department of Natural Resources CPW Transition Team 1313 Sherman Street, Room 718 Denver, CO 80203

Update: The Sand Creek Leak

There's good news and bad news about oil seepage into the South Platte at Sand Creek.  

In a report for The Drake Magazine, Will Rice gives an update from the scene of the slime. Read the article.