Dear Audubon Advocate,

The water crisis in the West is becoming real, and hitting home in Colorado. Colorado enters 2018 with significant water hurdles posing real challenges for rivers, birds, and people. So far, Colorado has one of the lowest snowpack levels in history leaving spring river runoff forecasts dismal. Additionally, our state fund for improving water management is dangerously low, threatening stream management plans, urban water conservation, and more. We must ensure water remains a top priority with decision-makers and not wait for the next water crisis.

Colorado’s rivers need your help! Please sign our petition today.

More Information
Water is a critical issue for Colorado as a whole, and not just for any single interest group. Every Coloradan is connected to the water supplied by mountain snowpack-fed rivers. Scientists say snow seasons like Colorado and the West are experiencing now will become more common as global temperatures rise, and economic costs will go up as well.

With an unpredictable water supply, an erratic and dangerously low funding source for water resource management (Severance Tax), and Colorado’s population expected to double by 2050, it is no surprise that Colorado’s water is under strain. We could have a shortfall of water for over two million people by mid-century. And the shortfall for the environment is largely unknown.

In Colorado College’s 2018 Conservation in the West Poll 80 percent of Colorado voters consider inadequate water supplies a serious concern; 81 percent believe low levels of water in rivers a serious problem; and 75 percent count loss of habitat for fish and wildlife a serious issue.¹ Poll results offer clear proof that voters overwhelmingly care about water, and want elected officials to act now to protect rivers and our environment.

Colorado’s Water Plan, entering its third year of implementation, is a significant step toward a secure water future, but many critical priorities that maintain and improve our rivers do not have a committed funding source. Traditional water infrastructure projects such as reservoirs have several funding options. Rivers and streams do not.

Audubon is working together with partner conservation organizations to reach as many Coloradans as possible who care about prioritizing a sustainable water future. We will be presenting our petition to state legislators and the Colorado Water Conservation Board at in-person meetings.

We need at least 1,000 signatures. Can we count on you?