Colorado Rivers Update: Boulder County in the bullseye of the Colorado’s Water Wars

Hi Friends of Colorado’s Rivers,

It may seem ironic that Boulder County is known as one of the most “environmentally minded” places in Colorado and the U.S., but the threats to Boulder County’s watersheds are likely the most intense of anywhere in Colorado. We are pushing back against all of these threats and doing our level best to protect the streams and creeks as well as the water supplies that all citizens depend on for life.

First and foremost, we are locked in a pitched court battle protecting South Boulder Creek from the massive expansion of Gross Dam by Denver Water. We’ve been back and forth with court rulings over the last few months, and now it all comes down to a May 6 hearing in federal district court in Denver. Stay tuned for the outcome of that hearing which will be in the news across the state. Whatever the outcome of the hearing, the court battle will continue for another 6 – 12 months.

Second, upstream of Nederland, we are defending the local streams and citizens from a large expansion of the Cross/Caribou Mines. These underground mines are proposing a large expansion on the surface as well as more mining and milling that could have impacts to the water supply that the City of Boulder relies on downstream. We have great legal representation and spirited community members in Nederland that are pushing this fight forward on behalf of our organization. This fight will play out over the coming months.

Third, the Town of Nederland itself is actually proposing a new dam directly on the channel of Middle Boulder Creek just upstream from Barker Reservoir. We are in a water court battle working to encourage the Town to consider less damaging alternatives, including storing its water in Barker Reservoir or even in gravel pits along the Creek. This battle will likely continue for a few more months in water court, and could play out for several years if the Town actually triggers a National Environmental Policy Act permitting process.

Fourth, we’re still locked in a state water court fight with the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water District over a massive proposed dam — called “Coffintop Dam and Reservoir” — directly on South St. Vrain Creek just a few hundred yards upstream of the Town of Lyons. This battle will play out over the next several months.

Fifth, we have engaged in the controversy around the so-called “CU-South” development project on South Boulder Creek in Boulder. The project would build a dam along highway 36 and cause the excavation and flooding of sensitive wetlands and species protected by the Endangered Species Act. This controversy could play out over the next decade if and when the City of Boulder triggers a National Environmental Policy Act permitting process.

Finally, we ended our water court engagement against Eldora Ski Area which is proposing to build several small dams on the streams near the ski area while diverting a little more water from South and Middle Boulder Creeks. Because all of the dam impacts would be on Eldora’s private property without a “public nexus,”  we were unable to have reasonable standing that would address the threats.

Who would’ve thought — Boulder County, Colorado, at the center of Colorado’s water wars?

Boulder County is a focus for our organization, and it’s your support that keeps us working hard and fighting these battles.

You can donate online here, and thank you for your support!

Gary Wockner