From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
“We’re still in good shape in terms of having a reserve, but we’ll probably have to throttle back onetime leases next year,” said Alan Ward, water resources manager for the [Pueblo Board of Water Works]. “We may lease very little water or none at all on the spot market next year.”
The water board leases have been an important source of water for farmers on the Bessemer Ditch and for well augmentation groups this year. This year the water board was able to lease 14,000 acre-feet — the equivalent of half the metered water supply for Pueblo.
The situation shouldn’t affect the board’s long-term leases to Aurora, Xcel’s Comanche power plant and other businesses.