Of water and war

Editor:

From lush green pastures that adorn the valley floors to the high mountain peaks, we’re lucky to call western Colorado home. This year’s pitiful snowpack and early runoff is likely to create a widespread destructive drought that will crush hay and wildflower yields alike. We’ll be incredibly lucky if our communities avoid devastating wildfires.

The drought is widespread throughout the Western US, and it comes as we face the deadline to renegotiate the water operation rules for Lakes Powell and Mead which controls water levels throughout the Colorado River Basin. While these operating rules often fly under the radar, for western Colorado they are critical to water levels in Blue Mesa Reservoir, irrigated pastures and ranching, and river flows for fish and recreation. Despite years of discussion, the Upper and Lower Basin states have not reached a compromise on how to share the river’s resources. As each day passes, it becomes more likely that the federal government will have to step in to establish the new operating rules.

While we’ve never found much common ground with Trump and his policies, there were two priorities in his 2024 campaign that we agree with: addressing domestic issues and a commitment to peace. Yet, we are entangled in another foreign war that has killed innocent civilians and needlessly endangered our military all while water in the west is threatened and there is no meaningful support or leadership from the federal government. 

Ranching and farming in the west require three ingredients: water, gas, and fertilizer. Mother Nature has not provided the snow we need for successful crops and the federal government’s proposed operating rules have only increased the distance between the Upper and Lower Basin States’ positions. The unjustified war in Iran has significantly driven up the cost of gas and fertilizer. In the months and years to come, this will impact the price of food for all Americans while we also face increased costs for other necessities.

Our short-sighted President and his administration are not equipped to address our water shortage. We need steady leadership as the West reckons with how to survive with less water. We need substantial investments in water infrastructure and water efficieny projects, not the cutbacks that have been put in place. As election season approaches, we ask that you vote for a better future by electing leaders who understand the dire consequences of prolonged drought and who are willing to stay the course for ranching, farming, and recreation in the west.

Jim Starr, on behalf of the Gunnison County Democratic Party issues committee.