In May 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board to develop a plan for Colorado's water future. Building on eight years of collaboration, the southwest portion of the plan has been the work of more than thirty regional water leaders, incorporating input from water users all around the basin. Our region's draft plan was submitted in July and the statewide draft plan will be submitted to the governor in December.

Now that the plan is in draft form, it's time to comment. Here in Southwest Colorado, residents are concerned about their water future. In a recent survey commissioned by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, 67% of participants from Southwest Colorado indicated they had little or very little confidence that Colorado will have enough water to meet its future needs.

Yet of the public input on the state plan so far, nearly half has been from the Eastern Slope and only 3 percent from Southwest Colorado. As a member of the Southwest Basin Roundtable, representing the Mancos Water Conservancy District, I find this statistic very disturbing. This is supposed to be a balanced water plan, yet very few Western Slope residents have expressed their views and interests.

There are several ways you can help make our local voice heard. Come to a public meeting, learn about the plan and share your input with local Roundtable representatives. There will be a meeting on Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m., at the Mancos Community Center, 130 W. Grand Avenue, Mancos. You can also have your comments recorded at the next Southwest Basin Roundtable meeting on Jan. 14 from 3-6 p.m. at the Dolores Water Conservancy District in Cortez. If you don't have time for a meeting, download our area's draft plan and the statewide draft plan at: http://coloradowaterplan.com/. There is a general comment form on the website as well.

Please take a few moments to become familiar with the state water plan and be a part of the discussion.

Gary Kennedy

Southwest Basin Roundtable Member