When did your river advocacy begin? Was it while birdwatching along your favorite river? Floating cool, clear waters with your friends and family? When you spend time on or around rivers, you soon begin to understand the connection between clean water, healthy flows, a healthy ecosystem, and thriving bird populations.

There are big issues affecting our western rivers today and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the environmental and policy issues. To get up to speed quickly on how water management has impacted western water ecosystems and solutions for a more balanced water future, check out Audubon’s 2017 report, Water and Birds in the Arid West: Habitats in Decline.

Colorado legislators need to understand this information, and that you care about a balanced water future that supports birds, rivers, and people. We need our members to inform legislators about key findings and solutions contained within the report.

Starting August 22nd, Colorado legislators will hold a series of water resource meetings open to public comment. The Water Resources Review Committee meetings study the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado’s water resources, as well as review and propose water resources legislation. Here’s the schedule:

• August 22nd 1:30 PM, Steamboat Springs: Colorado’s Instream Flow Program
• September 11th 9:00 AM, State Capitol: Colorado River issues
• September 12th 9:00 AM, State Capitol: Requests for legislation
• October 23rd 9:00 AM, State Capitol: Colorado Water Plan
• October 24th 9:00 AM, State Capitol: Approval of Committee legislation

Legislators need to hear from you. If you are interested in attending or presenting comments at one of the Water Resources Review Committee meetings, please contact Abby Burk, Western Rivers Regional Program Manager for Audubon Rockies, for help.