A diverse group of organizations including the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, San Luis Valley, Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Basin Roundtable, Conejos Water Conservancy District, City of Alamosa, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, and San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council have formed a coalition to fight a proposal by Renewable Water Resources (RWR) to transport water out the Valley to the Front Range.

The group launched a website this month https://www.protectsanluisvalleywater.com  and the Facebook page Protect San Luis Valley Water.

RWR has been waging a misinformation campaign in the San Luis Valley. RWR has conducted at least two public surveys and published numerous Facebook ads this year asserting misleading information as facts and then asking respondents to share their opinions. Several of us in the water community, local cities, and the environmental community have been working together to set the record straight and provide the public with the facts.

Water is the lifeblood of the San Luis Valley and connected to every facet of the economy, community and culture.

Under the campaign theme, Water Connects the San Luis Valley, the coalition is sharing to the public with facts about:
• San Luis Valley water and its importance to every facet of our community, culture and economy
• The importance of agriculture to the economy and the water/agriculture connection
• Local water solutions being implemented
• Setting the record straight – taking on RWR’s misinformation and untruths and providing facts
• Valley perspectives – videos and testimony from influential locals on water and their concerns about RWR’s
proposal
• Resource materials – four downloadable fact sheets, media contacts, past media coverage
• Call to get involved – a place people can ask a question, sign up for emails, or get involved

Cleave Simpson
General manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District