Colorado is examining water speculation, and finding it’s 'all the problems' in one A state work group is trying to balance risks from investors with negative impacts to agriculture and is running into complicated questions. Author: Heather Sackett (Aspen Journalism), Luke Runyon (KUNC) Published: 3:19 PM MDT May 6, 2021 Updated: 3:19 PM MDT May 6, 2021 ASPEN, Colo. — Melting snow and flowing irrigation ditches mean spring has finally arrived at the base of Grand Mesa in western Colorado. Harts Basin Ranch, a 3,400-acre expanse of hayfields and pasture just south of Cedaredge, in Delta County, is coming back to life with the return of water.