Protecting the Environment

  1. Endorsed by Conservation Colorado

  2. Crystal River Stakeholder Group

  3. Cheatgrass and habitat restoration

  4. Geothermal, solar, and energy efficiency

  5. Mt. Emmons mineral withdrawal & land exchange

  1. Endorsed by

2. Crystal River Stakeholder Group

The Crystal River Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative (“Collaborative”) was formed in 2022 to commence in fact finding, identification of overlapping interests and concerns, and a robust discussion of shared goals and strategies that would facilitate lasting river protections for the Crystal River, including (but not limited to) Wild and Scenic designation.

I’ve represented Gunnison County as one of the steering committee’s co-chairs, which also include the Town of Marble, Pitkin County, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District.

In March 2024, the Collaborative Steering Committee reached consensus to pursue work across three subcommittees:

  1. An Intergovernmental Agreement Subcommittee to develop a draft IGA to memorialize a commitment to protecting the Crystal River against mainstem dams and trans-basin diversions.

  2. A Peaking Instream Flow Subcommittee supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board to draft a peaking instream flow to protect peak flows and prevent diversions of the free river.

  3. A Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee to continue efforts to draft a proposal for a Crystal River Wild and Scenic package tailored to meet the specific needs and flexibility expressed by the Steering Committee for the Crystal River.

I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished. The Collaborative is convening in Marble, CO on October 28, 2024 to share updates on subcommittee progress. Read more about the draft recommendations here.