DENVER, June 10, 2021 The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) have announced 16 regional teams, representing 169 rural communities, as participants in the Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap program.
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RANGELY | The Rangely Town Board of Trustees was called to order at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2021. Mayor Andy Shaffer and trustees Richard Garner, Tim Webber, and Keely Ellis attended in person. Trustees Robie and Geer were present via telephone. “There is lots to do,” Town Manager Lisa Piering said. She reported that department supervisors are working on finishing year end projects. Marketing Coordinator Jeannie Caldwell is busy promoting economic development and applying for grant funding. Piering shared the most recent COVID-19 immunization information from Rio Blanco County Public Health. She said the first vaccination clinic did not go well logistically at the Fire Training Center because elderly participants were standing in the cold waiting. Subsequently, the next vaccination clinic was held at the LDS church.
This map shows the potential locations of the proposed White River storage project, also known as the Wolf Creek project, on the White River between Rangely and Meeker. A water court judge has dismissed several of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District’s claims for water. (Heather Sackett / Aspen Journalism)
A little over two weeks after Division 6 Water Judge Michael O’Hara III dismissed several water uses, the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District and the Colorado Division of Water Resources reached an agreement on a conditional water right decree for Wolf Creek Reservoir, Jan. 7.
That settlement led to a decree for the storage right in Wolf Creek Reservoir that was signed by the Division 6 Water Judge, Michael O’Hara III on January 7. As part of his rulings, Judge O’Hara vacated his December 23, 2020 order on summary judgment motions.
Aspen Journalism
Kenney Reservoir, located just east of Rangely in late October, has a picnic area. Kenney Reservoir is silting in, and the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District is proposing building a new off-channel reservoir upstream on the White River.
Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism
RANGELY As its trial date in water court approaches, hundreds of pages of depositions obtained by Aspen Journalism reveal state engineers’ sticking points regarding a proposed reservoir project they oppose in northwest Colorado.
Over a few days in November, state attorneys subpoenaed and interviewed several expert witnesses and the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District manager in the White River storage-project case, also known as the Wolf Creek project. Their questions centered on the town of Rangely’s water needs and on whether water is needed for irrigation.
As its trial date in water court approaches, hundreds of pages of depositions obtained by Aspen Journalism reveal state engineers’ sticking points regarding a proposed reservoir project they oppose in northwest Colorado.