Lawmakers examining state water issues are wrapping up their work ahead of next year’s legislative session.
Committees have met throughout the year to discuss various issues from water to criminal justice. Democratic Sen. Kerry Donovan of Vail serves on the water resources review committee. She said there is consensus around finding more and better ways to conserve water.
“Can we encourage ranchers to have alternative ways? They can use their water in different ways in different years,” she said. “Sometimes, water can be one of the least political issues in the building, although often some of the more complicated.”
Many times, the debate doesn’t fall along party lines as much as regional ones. Two years ago, the governor released the state’s first ever water plan. Lawmakers say the biggest long-term challenge will be paying for things like water storage.
