Water-related updates from water reporter Heather Sackett and additional context on recent reporting from the Aspen Journalism water desk
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Author Archives: Heather Sackett
Heather Sackett is the managing editor at Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Water Desk. She has also reported for The Denver Post and the Telluride Daily Planet. Heather has a master’s degree from CU’s Center for Environmental Journalism and her reporting has been recognized by the Colorado Press Association.
Colorado Springs agrees to give up water rights for Summit County reservoirs
On Jan. 16, the River District board approved the settlement agreement, which includes a commitment from Colorado Springs that the utility will support the River District’s efforts at securing the Shoshone water right.
Presentation details Lincoln Creek contamination but solutions unclear
Panelists addressed the potential human health impacts from the contaminated water in the creek and at Grizzly Reservoir, a popular spot for summer camping, hiking and fishing.
Company drops bid for Thompson Creek reservoir water rights
Companies have been able to hang onto these conditional water rights in some cases for over 50 years without using them because Colorado water law allows a would-be water user to reserve their place in the priority system based on when they applied for the right — not when they put water to use — while they work toward developing the water.
Company with oil and gas interests seeking to keep rights alive for reservoir on Thompson Creek
The reason Puckett has been able to hold on to water rights that are nearly 60 years old without putting them to beneficial use lies in a quirk of Colorado water law that at least one scholar says needs to be reformed.
Climate report projects continued warming and declining streamflows for Colorado
This warming, which scientists are very confident will come to pass, will drive the other water system changes that Colorado can expect to see.
Drought task force can’t agree on conservation program recommendations
The lack of recommendations about conservation programs highlights the complicated nature of water in Colorado and the difficulty of achieving consensus among competing interests.
River District inks historic water rights deal for Western Slope
According to the purchase and sale agreement, the River District must pay $1 million by Jan. 1, but that is just the start.
Lower basin water managers say it’s time to fix their supply/demand problem
Representatives of the seven Colorado River basin states have begun negotiating new guidelines for reservoir operations to replace the current ones, which expire at the end of 2026.
Study finds that livestock growers need more compensation for water conservation
These findings could have basinwide implications for the Upper Colorado River Commission’s System Conservation Program, which in September water managers voted to continue in 2024.