The Upper Colorado River Watershed Group (UCRWG)  is hosting a discussion of how our community might help improve the health of over 300 miles of impaired rivers and streams in Grand County during a community forum on March 19, 7 p.m. at the Fraser Library. 

UCRWG, formed with a Water Smart grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, is charged with using existing data and facilitating new studies to find ways to help our beleaguered watershed. 

The citizens of Grand County are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in the restoration and protection of the Colorado River’s pristine headwaters.

UCRWG’s board sought a $60,000 grant to study the North Fork of the Colorado (NFCR) , which starts at the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park, flows through the Kawuneeche Valley then empties into Shadow Mountain Reservoir.  A large delta fed by the sediment loaded river has nearly buried the popular Pine Beach Recreation area. Fine sediments from this river along with other sources help feed an increasing underwater thicket of water weeds while decreasing Grand Lake clarity.

The study would be the first step toward gaining larger State and Federal grants to help address major issues with the North Fork.  For reasons which remain unclear, the grant was rejected by the Colorado River District. Many community members wonder why there appears to be a lack of local support for UCRWG efforts. The UCRWG Board appreciates the chance for public discussion and hopes you will join us.

As a part of its mission, UCRWG continues to search for other funding sources for critical watershed studies in the county. Colorado Riverkeepers, a national river advocacy group, will discuss resource options at the planned meeting. 

The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 7 pm in the Fraser Valley Library.  Please feel free to reach out to Board President Andy Miller with any questions: (970) 531-0674 or email lonesomehut@lonesomehut.com.