Gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes is receiving some criticism in certain circles for his statement last week at the Colorado Water Congress’ Annual Summer Meeting where he was quoted as saying, of water, “If it starts in Colorado its our water.” Water watchers know that in most of the west the right to divert water is governed by the Prior Appropriation Doctrine where the most senior appropriations of water put to beneficial use trump later appropriations. There are also numerous agreements or compacts with downstream states that partially determine the disposition of the water that flows in Colorado’s streams.
In his column in today’s Denver Post Ed Quillen looks at Maes’ statement and gives readers the facts (and a bit of humor). He writes:
Does that mean he’s ignorant about our laws and obligations? Not really. Since he says “it’s our water” and we should keep it here, it appears that he understands the saying, “I’d rather be upstream with a shovel than downstream with a water right.”
More 2010 Colorado elections coverage here.