Contact:
David Nickum
Executive Director
Colorado Trout Unlimited
303-440-2937 x12
7/17/2003 -- Boulder, Co -- One of Colorado’s leading conservation organizations has voted to oppose the State’s efforts to win voter approval for $2 billion in new state revenue bonds to fund water projects.
The Board of Directors of Colorado Trout Unlimited – which has over 8,000 members in the state – went on record in opposition to Referendum A because of its costs, the State’s unwillingness to reveal the projects it will fund, and its potential damaging effects on Colorado’s rivers and streams.
“Referendum A doesn’t specify projects. It’s a blank check that could end up not only costing Coloradoans far more than $2 billion but ultimately impairing the health and quality of our rivers and streams,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited.
The vote of Colorado Trout Unlimited board members from across the state took place last weekend (July 12) at the organization’s quarterly meeting in Salida, Colorado. The decision was made without opposition.
“Our members have worked on water resource issues for decades and they recognize that financing isn’t the issue. Referendum A isn’t going to make projects cheaper or easier to build and it certainly is no solution to the drought,” said Colorado Trout Unlimted president Ken McClatchy.
McClatchy said that TU’s members believe a more cost-effective and timely approach to Colorado’s ongoing problem with drought would be to fund local projects using the financing tools now readily available, expand existing reservoirs, and use current water supplies more efficiently.
On Tuesday night, the Colorado River Water Conservation District also voted to oppose Referendum A on a 10-2 vote.
Date: 7/17/2003