By Jennifer Swacina When I first heard about Nestlé mining water— right here in Chaffee County—I wished I had been here in 2009 to have joined those who rallied against it. Be careful what you wish for! In late 2019, I happened to read an article covering a routine county commissioner’s meeting with discussion that Nestlé’s permit was expiring. Some county staff wanted to quietly grant the company’s request for a ten-year extension to continue the water mining operation, but the Chaffee County Commissioners determined the process needed public comment. They scheduled a public hearing for six months later. Unbeknownst…
