The Colorado Water Congress is meeting in Steamboat this week, at the Steamboat Grand. Experts are making presentations about water issues in Colorado, including land use planning, growth, and climate.

 

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet spoke Wednesday afternoon.  U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined the presentation remotely. Senator Bennet said agriculture is going to be a big part of solving climate change.

 

 

Senator Bennet also went to Craig in Moffat County before speaking at the conference in Steamboat Wednesday afternoon.

 

Senator Bennet said to think about federal legislation that would set up a national endowment for a coal community that can almost permanently help fund revenue loss in counties like Moffat County.

 

Video of Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenloopoer talking about working with their fellow senators.

 

 

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser spoke at the Colorado Water Congress conference Wednesday.

 

Weiser added that water treatment facilities are an average of 50 years old. Dams and water storage facilities need to be repaired as soon as possible. He says Colorado needs to be ready and we have to be smart about it and not squander opportunities. He stressed the importance of planning and advocating for the future.

 

One of the first speakers Tuesday was Michelle Carr. She is the Distribution and Collection Manager with the City of Steamboat Springs.

 

Carr says this way those at the conference can better understand the impacts were are facing in Northwest Colorado that are different than those on the Front Range.