From The Pueblo Chieftain (Bob Rawlings):
Those of us who share that passion [to protect and preserve the water of the Arkansas basin] have been greatly disheartened by the destructive assault on our water from urban developments to the north. We must do everything within our collective power to stop the loss of our precious water, which is the very lifeblood of the Valley.
Until recently, we expressed only guarded support for the idea of a Super Ditch. The concept is for a group of farmers on irrigating ditches to lease water (the temporary sale of the water, but not the water rights) while rotating the land upon which they continue to irrigate their crops.
The Chieftain editorial board, which I chair, now has come to the conclusion that the Super Ditch is the most practical means available for protecting the Lower Arkansas Valley’s water. It’s not because lease-fallowing doesn’t come without risk. It does. But we believe that on balance the Super Ditch is far superior to losing the water forever through the permanent sale of the water rights.