Press Release- June 15, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2007
Contact:
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER NAMES SOUTH PLATTE RIVER TASK FORCE
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the members of a special South Platte River Basin Task Force that will examine water issues and recommend possible solutions to challenges facing water users in the northeast Colorado basin.
Gov. Ritter called for the task force after he visited Wiggins earlier this year to hear first-hand about the water crisis along the South Platte.
"The task force is charged with clearly articulating the problems faced by water users in the South Platte River Basin and recommending potential solutions," Gov. Ritter said. "Specifically, the task force is to consider whether there are any changes to current water law or policy that will provide relief to junior water users without injuring senior water right holders."
A final report is due to Gov. Ritter, legislative leaders and the chair of the legislature's Interim Committee on Water Resources by Sept. 30.
The task force members are:
John Stulp, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, to serve as a voting member and co-chair.
Harris Sherman, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, to serve as a voting member and co-chair.
Steve Bruntz of Wiggins to serve as a voting member.
Harold Evans of Greeley to serve as a voting member.
Arnie Good of Fort Morgan to serve as a voting member.
Harold Griffith of Fort Morgan to serve as a voting member.
Joe Kiolbasa of Sterling to serve as a voting member.
Randy Knutson of Platteville to serve as a voting member.
Manual Montoya of Brighton to serve as a voting member.
Brad Stromberger of Iliff to serve as a voting member.
Jim Yahn of Sterling to serve as a voting member.
Hal Simpson of Centennial to serve as a voting member.
Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis to serve as a voting member.
State Sen. Greg Brophy to serve as a voting member.
State Rep. Kathleen Curry to serve as a voting member.
State Rep. Cory Gardner to serve as a voting member.
State Rep. Mary Hodge to serve as a voting member.
State Sen. Jim Isgar to serve as a voting member.
State Rep. Jack Pommer to serve as a voting member.
State Sen. Brandon C. Shaffer to serve as a voting member.
State Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg to serve as a voting member.
Jim Lochead to serve as an attorney, non-voting ex-officio member.
Anne Castle to serve as an attorney, non-voting ex-officio member.
Dick Wolfe to serve as an engineer, non-voting ex-officio member.