Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to state Sen. Gail Schwartz.

Editor:

We are writing to express the sincere thanks of the Pitkin County Commissioners for your work in sponsoring and passing House Bill 1280, the Healthy Rivers Act.

This new law, which “strengthens Colorado’s 35-year-old Instream Flow Program and ensures that water rights leased or loaned to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for environmental purposes will not be weakened, lost or considered abandoned” is indeed an important step for Colorado water rights.

We greatly appreciate your continued support of environmental legislation, and your work to ensure water quantity and quality in Colorado. Please accept our gratitude for the work you do for the citizens of your district and the entire state.

Dorothea Farris
Vice-Chair
Pitkin Board of County Commissioners