The state will start work on a new "Colorado Water Plan" to figure out how to secure enough water supplies across the state to meet urban and rural demands, according to an executive order from Gov. John Hickenlooper. The governor on Wednesday directed the Colorado Water Conservation Board to start work on the draft plan.

Phil Starks, of the Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District, reported to town council the approval of a $2 million loan from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority for a project that would allow sewage to be pumped from downtown Pagosa Springs to the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District’s Vista treatment plant, enabling the clean-up of the old sew

Durango voters agreed Tuesday to go in debt to the tune of $4 million to buy water from the Animas-La Plata Project. The tally on Ballot Measure 2A, with all votes counted, showed that 1,972, or 61 percent, support the issue, compared with 1,274, 39 percent, who were opposed.

Members of the Animas La Plata Water Conservancy District board want to take a new look at how 700 acre-feet of water from the Animas-La Plata Project is used. The district acquired 2,600 acre-feet of water when the A-LP, as it’s known, was created. The majority, 1,900 acre-feet, was for the city of Durango, with the remaining 700 acre-feet earmarked for an unspecified future need.

The City of Durango has only a week’s reserve of water. Therefore, in 2005, they requested that the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) reserve a portion of Animas-La Plata Project water in its name.

With the Animas-La Plata Project nearing completion, Jack Rogers, the city’s public works director, told Durango city councilors it’s decision time to figure out how to pay for the city’s share of water. Also attending Tuesday’s City Council study session were members of

Telluride and Mountain Village have a shared commitment that by 2020 greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 20 percent. With every goal, there is a starting point. First, the idea was solar-power installations on Mountain Village facilities, but a feasibility study proved solar to be cost prohibitive.

Mike Brod was appointed executive director by of the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority on February 1, 2010. Prior to his appointment as executive director, Mike was the Authority’s finance director for the last 15 years.