Sources and suggestions for additional reading

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.

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A Reform to Consider

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?

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Agriculture and Tourism

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).

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Litigation and Augmentation: The UAWCD in Operation

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).

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Courts and Conservancy

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.

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A partial fulfillment of J.W. Powell’s vision

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.

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Water by the District

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.

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Water and Democracy: An Unstable Combination?

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).

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