By Pia Ostrognai ’25

Steamboat Springs and the surrounding towns in the Colorado River Basin have begun to experience the effects of global warming and rising temperatures as the water content supply continues to dwindle. Snow telemetry (SNOTEL) and snow-water equivalents are automated data collection sites placed in watersheds across the mountains of the western United States which assist in predicting snow melt when summer comes along. Scientists (amongst many other people like the common folk) have figured out that with the current amount of snowfall received in this area, water levels in the surrounding river systems will undoubtedly decrease, as shown in the Yampa River. 

Julie Baxter is Steamboat’s water resources manager and leads the city’s water conservation efforts. She graduated with a masters degree from the University of Oregon and has a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy, an interest she has had for a while. Baxter believes that the job creates a way for her to bring the communal, scientific, and legal job aspects together. Being the water resources manager entails managing the city’s water rights portfolio, a collection of different water rights, but her “most important responsibility is protecting the legal rights of the City to divert and store water from Fish Creek, Yampa River, and other surrounding tributaries in the long term.” This entails advocating for the city and collaborating with lawyers to ensure that these water rights are maintained. In addition to this, Baxter “also [helps] the City to meet requirements for water quality, improve water conservation in the community, and protect the health of the Yampa River and its watershed.” 

Steamboat has been particularly lucky this winter season as snowfall has been heavier than usual, allowing for a rise in predicted snow melt. Baxter states that “as of March 6, 2023, the snow-water equivalent in the Yampa and White basin was 135% of the historical 30-year median,” although this is subjective thanks to the changes which occur within the thirty year increments during which the data is averaged and collected. However, while that is an extraordinary number and  “the abundant snowfall and cold temperatures this winter will help with some drought relief,” it will be difficult to recover as “the Upper Colorado River Basin has been in a multi-year drought.” Even though this is a moving average, meaning that what was once one number years ago is subject to change and that something which was considered “a lot” might be what is thought to be “a little” now. We need a few normal to big years back-to-back to bring us out of drought conditions.

In order to save the limited water supplies, Baxter and the government believe people should be more cognizant of how much water they use outdoors, such as water sprinklers, as more than 30% of unnecessary water usage comes from this. The community also needs to be aware of how they treat the Yampa River, making sure that “buffer zones” are implemented, creating a form of protection to the ecosystem by preventing any developments to be built within fifty feet of the river. This is crucial as the Yampa is the home to a riparian ecosystem, a system where sediment serves as a natural filter and acts as a sponge to conserve water locally. To protect the Yampa and her surrounding water systems, keeping the plants along the riverside safe is extremely important. This involves caring for the plants by not clearing the native vegetation (whether it be trampling, picking, or cutting it) and restraining from polluting the water with dirt such as dog poop and excessive sediment.

It is crucial, especially with the negative effects of climate change, to ensure that the water sources which fuel the lives of thousands along the Colorado River Basin are as sustainable, long-lasting, and clean as possible as water becomes harder to retain. Laws have been created to limit water waste, which for the most part are beneficial, but have led to strife between states and within states. Caring for the environment is a simple way for everyone to take their part in keeping the water clean and fresh.

‘Lawyer Reflects on the Water Conflicts and Solutions in the Valley’

By Sunny Winn ’25

As the climate continues to change and become more of a concern in day-to-day lives, water stakeholders’ jobs are taking a much more important role in society. “We have been using and thinking about water like it is an unlimited resource, and it is finally catching up to us,” states local lawyer Sherri Sweers. Many jobs have some reliance or connection to water and require assistance from more experts in the field of water. Sweers has lived in Steamboat for twenty years and in moving here, began to step into the position of a water stakeholder in the community. Sweers opened Steamboat Lawyers Group around fifteen years ago and continues to work hard handling cases involving natural resources, real estate, and business, to probate and estate planning. 

After graduating with her law degree from the University of Wyoming, Sweers credits her exposure and greater understanding of natural resources to the environmental classes offered at the school. Sweers moved to Steamboat Springs after realizing the city and big law firm settings were not for her and decided she wanted to raise her kids in a small town. Through her real estate practice in the valley, Sweers began to work with more and more cases involved with water rights. The cases she sees involve the application for and transfer of water rights. Especially in current years, obtaining these water rights is becoming a much tougher process. The lack of specialists who make securing water rights possible, such as environmental engineers and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, has become much more particular about who they give water rights to; the process of obtaining water rights can take up to two years. Sweers has observed this increase in demand, saying “the drought really took effect here in the valley in the last seven years, and the number of water rights applications have doubled, if not tripled.” As people become more aware of the value of owning water, the demand for water rights will continue to rise. With a high demand for a limited resource, it isn’t a matter of if tensions will rise, but rather when and how rapidly. Over the years, Sweers observed a transition in how water is handled, stating: “what I think was a good old boy system has started to fall. When all of a sudden there is not enough of a resource, there is conflict.” People have decided that because they used water in an area for generations without a water right, they deserve complete access to the water. There are rising tensions with water in many parts of the world due to various factors, including population growth, climate change, and inadequate water management policies. Sweers works to mitigate these disputes and ensure that water is fairly distributed among the water rights owners. 

For anyone looking to obtain water rights in the valley, this spring will be the best time to apply for them. Sherri encourages her clients to do so by telling them, “we have record amounts of snow, and the biggest part of the application is determining how much there is and how much you want, so with the heavy water flows that will be coming from this spring’s snowmelt, now is the time to do it.” 

Although Sweers doesn’t predict a water shortage this summer, she exaggerates the importance that people are acknowledging climate change and preparing themselves for resulting changes. She says, “this is a long-term problem, water is going to be an issue.” In order to try and conserve what we have now, people will have to change their lifestyles. You need to make sure you are only using your allotted water for its intended purpose. Conserving the water we do have is vital for the future of our children and the generations following them. 

The question we need to be asking ourselves and start actively developing solutions for is, how do we balance a growing population and the protection of natural resources? While there are alternatives to some resources such as energy, Sweers pointed out, “in terms of water, there is no straightforward or clear alternative.” In Steamboat, wildlife, ranchers, the environment, and people downstream rely heavily on the water coming from snowmelt, and ensuring that everyone gets their fair share is incredibly difficult. She goes on to say, “if we can’t effectuate change in California, Nevada, and the other lower basin states, it is going to be a real problem.” Everything we do is going to have ramifications, so getting educated on the topic of conserving and understanding water is a precious resource will be vital in protecting the future of our natural resources. Sweers warns, “in the long run, if our water becomes more and more limited, it could affect everybody’s right to water usage.” Green grass isn’t going to be the natural landscape being put in people’s yards as the more arid climate continues. “I know quite a few clients who, in past summers have had their wells dry up and the cisterns were empty,”  Sweers mentioned. From small conservation efforts to going out and actively advocating for the protection of the natural resources and environment around us, each person has an obligation to protect the planet and preserve what is left of it to the best of our ability. Get educated, do your part, and most importantly enjoy the beautiful valley we are very lucky to call home.