Sidebar by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
Most sources are indicated in the articles, but for those who are suspicious or curious …
John Wesley Powell’s attitude about agriculture comes from an interview with Clay Jenkinson, now of Reno, Nev. The informal interview was in a saloon after Jenkinson spoke either in Buena Vista or Gunnison — some memories are hazy.
Essay by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
IT TAKES THOUSANDS of words to explain Colorado water conservancy districts and the mechanics of selecting their directors — that says something about the need for some changes.
So, what about changing the law so that elections are automatic, the way they are in school, fire, or hospital districts?
Sidebar by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
Comparing the relative economic contributions of agriculture and tourism is sort of like comparing apples to lift tickets.
But there are some numbers available. According to the 1997 U.S.D.A. Census of Agriculture, total agricultural sales in Chaffee County were $5,097,000 — mostly cattle and calves ($2,543,000), hay ($933,000), and nursery and greenhouse items ($1,083,000).
Sidebar by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
THE POINT OF HOLDING AN ELECTION for a director of a water conservancy district is presumably to have a public voice in how the district operates.
And it may be that the public is pleased with its traditional operations and policies — both incumbents were easily re-elected in 2000 in the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (where there won’t be an election this year, because no terms expire).
Sidebar by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
Water Conservancy Districts in and near Central Colorado and the San Luis Valley
Article by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
THE STATE LAW that governs water conservancy districts (CRS 37-45-101 …) sets the procedures for establishing a district — petitions from a specified number of land owners and water users have to be submitted to the district court.
Sidebar by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
In some ways, water conservancy districts represent part of the vision of John Wesley Powell. He may be best known as the leader of the 1869 expeditions down the canyons of the Colorado River, and in 1868, he was part of the first recorded climb of Long’s Peak.
Article by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
OUR MYTHOLOGY about “the winning of the West” celebrates the individual homesteader and the resulting family farm or ranch, but the truths of history and geography extend well past the individual.
Article by Ed Quillen
Water Conservancy Districts – April 2001 – Colorado Central Magazine
AS THIS EDITION went to press, it appeared almost certain that there would be a novel election in Chaffee County: one for a director’s seat on the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, the first such election since the district was formed in 1979.
The district is split into four divisions, corresponding to school districts: Custer County, Western Frémont County (Cotopaxi schools), Northern Chaffee County (Buena Vista), and Southern Chaffee County (Salida).