This week at Aspen Journalism, we published Water Editor Heather Sackett’s piece looking at the every-10-year process where state officials, water users and water court judges determine what water rights have been “abandoned.” It explained how the process, which takes over two years to play out, is central to how the state manages its water, while exploring the value of water never used.
Putting a human face on the issue, Sackett reported on the case of Steamboat Springs-area rancher Jay Fetcher, who found one of his water rights on the state’s abandonment list. His story, told by Heather after visiting the high-country ranch, gets at the many considerations raised in an abandonment case.
A story like that doesn’t happen without years of dedicated beat courage, source building and a deep understanding of complex water law and policy concepts. Thanks to Aspen Journalism’s supporters who make this kind of work possible.
Also this week, Data Editor Laurine Lassalle reported on initial findings from state data released to Aspen Journalism breaking down the age, race and gender of the 108 people who have died due to COVID-19 in Eagle, Pitkin and Garfield counties. Her analysis shows around half of these local fatalities were 80 or older, while men make up 60 to 70 percent of the cases. There is also a difference in the number of fatalities “among COVID-19 cases” and “due to” COVID.
Don’t forget to check out The Bucket, below, for a selection of stories we have read in the last week. And many thanks for reading and supporting Aspen Journalism.
Curtis Wackerle, editor and executive director
Aspen Journalism
Rancher grapples with abandonment listing
10-year state process asks: What is the value of water that is not being used
By Heather Sackett | February 27, 2022
So some water rights holders may be reluctant to pare back the amount of their right, even if they can’t use all the water to which their decree entitles them on paper.
Data dashboard: Last week’s snowstorm increases snowpack
Temperature dropped last week to a high of 20°F and a low of 9°F. Snowpack at Schofield Pass gained 3.7 inches in the past week
By Laurine Lassalle | March 1, 2022
• Maximum air temperature dropped to 20°F on Feb. 24.
• Snowpack at McClure Pass increased from 9.41 inches last week to 11.69 inches on Feb. 27.
Tracking the Curve
Documenting COVID-19 in Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties
By Laurine Lassalle | March 1, 2022
Garfield County reported 36 new COVID-19 cases over the President’s Day weekend, Eagle County added 33 cases, while Pitkin County added 12 cases. Eagle reported one new COVID deaths on Tuesday, raising the county’s death toll to 35.
Seven weeks of near-record low snowfall in the Colorado River Basin have water managers worried
“The ultimate goal of water managers, according to Weisheit and Silver, should be to ‘balance the water budget’ by immediately reducing consumptive water use in the basin by 20%. Temporarily tweaking release schedules from Lake Powell, the letter said, will not solve the underlying issue that the basin states are using more water than is actually available in the river.”
Source: sltrib.com | Read more
San Luis Valley-to-Douglas County water pipeline proposed. Critics call it a “buy and dry” scheme
“Not only would Tonner’s plan further dry life in the mountain valley but, residents warn, it would also set a dangerous precedent that other fast-growing Front Range communities could quench their thirst by taking the one thing the San Luis Valley needs most.”
Source: denverpost.com | Read more
Routt County turns up heat on illegal short-term rentals
Tree Haus is in unincorporated Routt County, where short-term rentals are not allowed. ‘We do not do short-term rentals in those units,’ said Jason Loeb, who owns and manages iTrip Vacations Steamboat Springs. ‘We do one rental a month, every 30 days, and that is in complete compliance with the county and the owner, and both confirmed that.’
Source: steamboatpilot.com | Read more
Forest Service ready to advance plan to sell land in El Jebel
“Eagle County hired a consultant in 2021 to hold ‘listening sessions’ with stakeholders and a limited number of public to determine potential uses for the 30 acres on the upper parcel. Affordable housing (including senior housing), an expansion of Crown Mountain Park and preservation of open space were the favored directions.
Source: aspentimes.com | Read more
Aspen city attorney decries allegations of bad faith and fraud
In the case of Ordinance 27, it was not placed on the agenda for the Aspen City Council’s meeting held Dec. 7. After the meeting started, however, the agenda was amended to include the ordinance and paper copies of it were handed out to City Council members, city staff and people in attendance.
Source: aspentimes.com | Read more
Marble Wetlands Preserve created through land donations
“A long-sought Marble-area land donation was completed at the end of 2021 between an anonymous donor and the Trust for Land Restoration (TLR), a Ridgway-based nonprofit. The property is a 54-acre strip of land with wetlands on one side and steep forested hillside on the other. The presence of 100-year-old mine waste deterred several potential recipients from accepting the donation, citing environmental liability concerns.”
Source: soprissun.com | Read more
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