Protect San Luis Valley Water

06/18/2026

Potatoe Country sky!

SLV has the best sunsets ❤️
& potatoes 🤍

📸: Kimberly L. Crowther

06/11/2026

Colorado Public Radio recently shared a poignant story about one San Luis Valley ranching family and how their livelihood depends on local water.

In Rancher Dwight Mondragon's words, “I don't want to let this farm go to waste. Once the cows are off of here, there's nothing left.”

He wants to pass the ranch on to his children and grandchildren, but what they really need is moisture.
Another reason to . There’s .

Read the full story at https://www.cpr.org/2026/06/10/as-drought-deepens-a-colorado-ranching-family-prays-for-rain/. Photo credit: Dan Boyce/CPR News.

06/04/2026

Colorado has declared a statewide drought emergency and is activating Phase 3 of the state’s drought response plan. "Nearly 93% of the state is in moderate to exceptional drought conditions."

Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday declared a statewide drought emergency, citing the record-low snowpack and prolonged warmer temperatures across Colorado. He also activated Phase 3 of the state’s drought response plan. “Today, I am issuing a statewide drought emergency to support Coloradans, our eco...

06/01/2026

We're headed into the 's key growing season. Protecting our limited water resources is a key part of making sure that local, farm-to-table can continue to thrive. More on FOX21 News: https://www.fox21news.com/fox21-news-we-are-san-luis-valley/high-altitude-farming-thrives-in-san-luis-valley/.

05/29/2026

Check out this great story on the Valley's Rye Resurgence Project! that rye is actually a very "neutral" grain that works well in various baked goods and also "has lower gluten and higher fiber content than wheat"? Plus, it uses much less water than other crops, prevents erosion, and - when locally milled - has a higher nutritional content than mass-milled wheat.

"farmers are now growing 3,000-5,000 acres of rye a year, and the project has helped them sell 771,409 pounds of rye at an average rate of $0.62 per pound, more than they were aiming for initially."

https://triplepundit.com/2026/southern-colorado-san-luis-valley-rye-resurgence-water/

In Southern Colorado Water Is Precious. That’s Why Farmers Are Growing Rye

05/18/2026

“The future of Rocky Mountain sandhill cranes’ ancient migration is inextricably linked to the future of water in the West and to the farmers and ranchers who’ve worked the land for generations. But scientists wonder if climate change could decouple that ecological partnership and fragment the flyways cranes have used for 2.5 million years," including the crucial ones in our own San Luis Valley. Read the full Tuscon.com story: https://tucson.com/news/state-regional/article_e1f24318-7591-4059-aff8-48a979733641.html.

Many sandhill cranes are curtailing their seasonal journeys in favor of climate convenience.

05/02/2026

It’s dry beyond dry. Hear more from State Water Engineer Pat McDermott and do a rain dance! 💃🏿🕺

On The Outdoor Citizen Podcast with host Marty Jones: Staff water engineer Pat McDermott takes us inside the numbers like no one can. Listen in, you’ll gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Upper Rio Grande Basin. https://www.alamosacitizen.com/podcast/episode-83-pat-mcdermott-super-el-nino/

03/23/2026

The eighth Annual Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium is this Saturday. "The program includes an exciting group of presenters who will address this year’s river and reservoir outlook, the history and current operations of the Closed Basin Project and the valley’s irrigation subdistricts, collaborative river restoration projects, and the growth of the region’s recreation and tourism economy," per the Conejos County Citizen event announcement.

Sign up today at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gm8l8aanfhxHQYcJFUYr_CXu-mY7T5HUe6s-isVoC00/viewform?edit_requested=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawQuOrJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzYXJPMGVnZ0RLOUZwVFVDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmHugVOxuyfdYIlBbDE4SZZNS09MuEhDfVALLbRGCt25ZeboDAIN1Cr1_nzr_aem_D0D-rfCF1dQw8wRiBXuAmA.

The Eighth Annual Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium will be held on the Adams State University campus from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026.

03/16/2026

Irrigation season is starting early in the San Luis Valley this year, due to this winter's poor snowfall. Some possibly good news? "An El Niño summer is emerging, and with it the notion that the Pacific Ocean weather pattern could push moisture into the Valley come summer, as opposed to away from the Valley as La Niña has." More at the Alamosa Citizen: https://www.alamosacitizen.com/after-a-dry-winter-hopes-pinned-on-an-el-nino-summer/.

An El Niño summer is emerging, and with it the notion that the Pacific Ocean weather pattern could push moisture into the Valley come summer.

02/17/2026

Mark your calendars for March 6! Incoming ✈️s!