Can a solution be found that balances water needs of the ranchers, farmers, community members, and natural systems?
• The State of Texas is not receiving its share of water from the Rio Grande – As stated in the Rio Grande Compact, Texas has the right to a portion of water from the Rio Grande, but it turns out that Colorado has not been living up to its side of the compact. Colorado’s San Luis Valley reservoirs are almost dry. Farming and ranching irrigation ditches and wells have been running low due to recent drought conditions. As defined in the Rio Grande Compact, Colorado has been found to be deficient in the amount of water that it sends across the border to New Mexico. New Mexico, on the other hand, has been releasing the required amount of water through to Texas. A multi-state coalition of local businessmen and agency representatives will discuss options on how to deal with Colorado’s water delivery shortfall. • For fifteen consecutive years, the San Luis Valley has experienced drought conditions – Wells are running dry, agriculture is coming to a standstill, unemployment is high, reservoirs
