From email from the Friends of Canyon Creek (Chuck Montera):
January 22, 2025
Members of the coalition Friends of Canyon Creek are in opposition to a planned unit development (PUD) that is set for a hearing before Garfield County Planning Commission on Wednesday, January 29 at 6 pm. Approval of the Nutrient Farms PUD would have a devastating effect to Canyon Creek and the surrounding community. Friends of Canyon Creek, comprised of citizens, water rights holders, landowners and environmental interests, oppose this PUD because of its source of water – a new draw out of Canyon Creek.
The Nutrient Farms PUD would divert nearly 9 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water (approximately 5 million gallons per day) from Canyon Creek, year-round, about 1.5 miles north of its confluence with the Colorado River. This water would be piped through the old Vulcan Ditch, through AVLT conservation easements, across dangerous and unstable hillside that burned and slid during the 2007 fire, under 6&24, and under I-70 and the railroad before even crossing the Colorado River to the south side. This is why the old Vulcan Ditch hasn’t carried water nor been maintained to cross the Colorado in decades; it’s unstable, dangerous and inefficient.
Friends of Canyon Creek formed to protect this watershed and ensure it flows for future generations.
We are opposed to the PUD as written for the following reasons:
- Drying up the creek would have significant environmental consequences, including harming local trout populations and destroying riparian ecosystems.
- FOCC’s legal counsel believes Nutrient Farms has no legal right to divert Canyon Creek. This issue is currently before the Colorado Water Court.
- Last and perhaps most important, drying up Canyon Creek would hinder firefighting efforts and heighten risks for local property owners.
Nutrient Farms has the legal right to divert its water directly from the Colorado River, completely avoiding harm to Canyon Creek. They claim Colorado River is not high enough in quality to water crops. This is counter to the fact the Colorado River provides water to 40+ million people and irrigates 5.5 million acres of crops.
Our group does not oppose a new local farm, we oppose killing a creek to irrigate that farm.
We encourage concerned citizens to contact the Garfield County Planning Commission and BOCC and voice your opinions about this PUD. There will be a public comment period during the meeting if you want to speak out. For more information go to https://friendsofcanyoncreek.com.