By Tobie Baker
The Cortez Journal
If mega-drought predictions come true in the next decades, proper water storage could be Colorado’s savior.
Addressing less than 10 people at the Ag Expo on Saturday, March 21, Colorado Representative J. Paul Brown said his top legislative issue was water storage. He’s introduced HB 1157, a bill to study water storage on the South Platte River.
A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Brown said the bill had received broad support, even from environmentalists.
He added that sending water from the state’s Western Slope via transcontinental diversion had to be addressed. Since 2010, 2.5 million acre feet of water has been sent out of state on the South Platte River, Brown said.
“We don’t have anymore water to send down,” the District 59 representative said.
Much of the West has experienced drought-like conditions in 11 of the past 14 years. Scientists have warned the West could be entering a 35-year mega drought.
Brown, a sheep rancher in Ignacio, said the worst drought he experienced came in 2002.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but storage is the answer,” said Brown.
He added that the agriculture committee had received lots of water concerns. He explained a balance was necessary between demands from environmentalists calling for more in-stream flow regulations, for example, and agriculture needs.
“Agriculture is the second leading industry in state at $40 billion,” said Brown. “That’s why we need to store water on the South Platte.”
During the informal agriculture summit discussion, one man questioned Environmental Protection Agency actions.
“The EPA wants a complete power grab,” responded Brown.
Indicating the federal government would control water collected in potholes if they could, Brown said the state would have to be remain vigilant against additional regulations and oversight.
“When they control water, then they control you,” Brown said.
Dog handlers showcase agility
By Jessica Gonzalez
The Cortez Journal
4CASA, also known as the Four Corners Australian Shepherd Association, kicked off a bright and sunny Saturday at the Ag Expo with dog treibball and agility demonstrations.
Kim Anderson, a certified dog trainer and 4CASA member who traveled from Aztec, explained that membership to the organization isn’t limited to Australian shepherds, and the group really centers around the camaraderie of dog-centric sports like agility and treibball as well as conformation (dog breed showcases).
Member Clarence Hershberger from Farmington owns two standard schnauzers, and says the overarching per of being a member is swapping training tips and tricks, as well as the social element of being around other enthusiastic dog owners.
A little more about the high-energy Australian shepherd: Despite its name, it’s actually an American breed, Anderson said. The herding dogs crave structure and room to run, like an agricultural setting in the Four Corners.
“They aren’t apartment dogs,” she said.
Anderson’s 5-year-old Australian, Ice, was eager to test the tubes, A-frame and weaving poles set up on the agility course.
Trainer Sunny Wilkins had a few students show off pets on the obstacle course. Two students, Bill and Bailey the border collie, showed an impressive first-run through, gracefully weaving and jumping through the obstacles. Wilkins said Bill’s diligence over the past year and half has paid off – Bailey now runs at an expert-level.
For those looking to begin agility classes with their dog, Wilkins advises that the dog at least have basic obedience training – mastery of leash walking and basic commands like sit, stay and come.
“Agility is a great sport if you want something fun to do with your dogs,” said Wilkins. “That’s really what we’re all about, having fun.
