Somebody out there...gotta listen

This song performed by WSP, written by Phil Roy, Is about the only thing keeping me going right now.  I am sure I'll find it somehow.

Colorado State Capital Today - 2-22-2012

For too many years I've been disheartened by gov't and politics.  My reaction has been to pay it no mind and toss my hands up in the air as if to say "nothing I can do".  As of late I've been attempting to take more of an active role and participate in my local community.  Trust me, I'm still not political but I can't just do nothing anymore.  There's no need for yelling and foisting my beliefs on the world necessarily, but to promote a world worth being in and understand who's around me.   

This state of Colorado and the greater Rocky Mountain West is one of unparalleled beauty.  It's what brought me out here from the midwest.  It's what keeps that wagon train rolling in.  The greater front range urban corridor from Pueblo, CO to Cheyenne, WY is over 4.3 million people, and rapidly growing.  Almost a 17% jump in population from 2000 to 2010 according to the US Census.  Many transplants populating this vast high desert plain come from more temperate climates where water is plentiful.  The reality is water is a finite resource here.  This growing metropolis is grabbing as much water as can.  The mentality is if we don't take it for ourselves, someone else will.  We have to be better with managing, using, conserving water.  It's not just about 'rights' as lawyers and land owners may believe.

So today I took the action of participating in an effort to 'Defend the Upper Colorado' on the steps of the State Capital.  Honestly, protest is just not my way.  Today I just felt compelled to see what it's all about and throw some support behind slowing the diversion of 80% of the Upper Colorado River's flow.  

As I walked across Lincoln Street I couldn't help but notice the railing that arcs across the base of the stairs leading up to the capital.  Obviously, someone recognized that trout are one of the state's natural resources.  Maybe someone in the building behind the railing should take note of that.

Immediately I saw a handful of TU volunteers bringing signs and boxes up the stairs for the assembly.  I introduced myself, pitched in, and immediately felt at home with kindred spirits.  Many folks that simply fill their souls with the wild places of this state.  Wild places which we wish to preserve.  People motivated to show up on this blustery Colorado winter afternoon.  As the assembly coagulated I had a chance to meet many folks from different walks of life.  Some who are guides and depend on these waters for their livings, fellow bloggers, to those who found fly fishing late in life.

There were several speakers who carried a very simple message.....make reasonable policy.  Don't sell our present down the river for people's 'rights' over aquatic life forms.  One speaker in particular told a story that hit home in a way that moved me near tears.  Kirk Klancke is a 40 plus year resident of Frasier/Winter Park.  His story of how the river has changed broke my heart.  I will be sharing his story in a future post.  The short story is the destruction of the river's ecosystem in 2 generations....and that's in the river's current condition.  The culprit is plain and simple....water diversion to the front range

As I left to continue my work day I couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat.  I just don't feel positive about the chances of Denver Water and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (now that's a complete misnomer there right??) giving up their 'rights' to water to save some bugs and fish as they probably see it.  Not if the EPA can't be honest about the true impact.  Not if we as a greater population of 4 million people and growing can't be honest about how we use water.  For crying out loud, conservation is in your name NCWCD, figure out how to promote conservation right?

Cripes.

The reality is, yelling at each other isn't going to solve the problem or make it go away.  Education is a major component.  A complete shift in mentality towards lawns, industrial use, agricultural practices, and general habits has to occur.  I'm gonna start with me here.  I'll help educate my kids, and show neighbors how it can be done better.  I'll do my best to bring neighbors into these wild places with me, and let them see first hand why, what, how.  I guess I do have a little hope in this hopeless world.