The region has suffered a serious three-year drought that threatens to continue, and the municipal government has chosen May 11, 2019 as “Day Zero” — the date when drinking water deliveries to homes and non-essential businesses will be shut off…
Category: Opinion/Letters
EDITORIAL: Town Council Looks at Repeal of Impact Fees, Part One
“In addition, it is typically difficult for a municipality to reinstate a fee or tax after it has been eliminated. Keeping fees close to the current level also eases the uncertainty around fees…”
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Seven
“The Colorado outdoor recreation industry is thriving. Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy generates $28 billion in consumer spending annually, and contributes 229,000 direct jobs…”
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Six
The amount of water rights being requested by PAWSD and SJWCD to be extracted from the San Juan River — if sold at the same rate, in the same community — would have been enough water for the current population of Colorado Springs…
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Five
This might be the first time I’ve heard the suggestion that “operational control of the Colorado River System” might be lost…
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Four
When the ‘average age’ of your dams is 72 years, that suggests that some of the dams are older than 72 years. How much older? And how expensive to repair or replace?
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Three
But maybe Colorado taxpayers can come up with millions of dollars… to allow cotton farmers and swimming pool owners maintain their lifestyles in the middle of the Arizona desert?
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part Two
“On March 19, 2019, the Governors’ representatives of the seven Colorado River Basin States and key water districts formally submitted Drought Contingency Plans to Congress for immediate implementation…”
EDITORIAL: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting; Part One
“The arid West essentially has been reclaimed. The major rivers have been harnessed and facilities are in place or are being completed to meet the most pressing current water demands and those of the immediate future…”
EDITORIAL: Real Conversations, about Real Issues, Part Four
But the meeting where I hoped some real conversation might take place at 5pm at Town Hall: a Council work session focused on the community’s housing crisis. I left disappointed…
EDITORIAL: Real Conversations, about Real Issues, Part Three
“We’re actually adding a few projects. You guys have seen the six projects. Right off the top of my head, Upper Piedra, Arboles, Chromo, Aspen Springs. We’re going to look at an Upper Blanco project…”
EDITORIAL: Real Conversations, about Real Issues, Part Two
As we see in the photo, there were a fair number of empty seats at the table for Ms. Otter’s lunchtime presentation. In fact, the BOCC had provided nearly as many full pizza boxes as there were elected leaders at the meeting…
OPINION: What Democratic Socialism Is, and Is Not
In the advanced industrial democracies, where they were elected to office on numerous occasions and defeated on others, they fostered greater economic and social equality, substantial economic growth, and political freedom…
EDITORIAL: Real Conversations, about Real Issues, Part One
“Starting this week we’ll meet informally with members of the community to share ideas about current town issues during a new program called ‘Coffee with Council.’ All are invited…”
EDITORIAL: Myths About Pagosa’s Future, Part Four
Before snowmelt can make it into the rivers, the soil gets first dibs on any extra moisture, and here in Southwestern Colorado, the soil was pretty doggone dry as of last October…
EDITORIAL: Myths About Pagosa’s Future, Part Three
“That’s worrisome, because we have a large number of capital projects before us. Not just the jail, but also the Courthouse, DHS, the Sheriff’s Office. A bunch of things are looming in the coming years…”
EDITORIAL: Myths About Pagosa’s Future, Part Two
For example, a large in-migration of 25-year-olds — ready to start young families — could have a very different long-term effect on a community population…
EDITORIAL: Myths About Pagosa’s Future, Part One
As we see in the photograph, the Sarah Platt Decker Chapter turned out a decent number of members for yesterday’s proclamation and photo opportunity…
EDITORIAL: Frustrated, Again, by a Housing Discussion, Part Seven
Clearly, socialism is not cheap, when governments feel good about putting citizens deeply in debt without their approval…