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Opinion: Water Center at CMU Hosts Water Film & Discussion October 17

Hannah Holm
WATER LINES

As long as people have been living in Colorado, we have been relying on rivers and streams for sustenance, and often changing the course of those streams to meet our needs. Along the way, we have developed a complex system for allocating these waters and mediating disputes. You can learn about the grand sweep of that history in a festive environment with the showing of a new film at Colorado Mesa University on Oct. 17.

The Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at CMU will host a showing of The Great Divide, a feature length film on Colorado’s water history, in the South Ballroom at the University Center on Saturday, Oct. 17. There will be a reception at 6 p.m., the film will be introduced by film maker Jim Havey at 6:30 p.m., and a panel of local water experts will be available to answer questions after the film.

To reserve a free ticket, which will also entitle you to a free beer donated by the Palisade Brewing Company, visit http://www.coloradomesa.edu/WaterCenter.



The Great Divide, produced by Havey Productions, traces Colorado’s water history from the water works of the ancestral Puebloans at Mesa Verde to contemporary projects and debates. It describes the foundations of Colorado water law and major dams and diversions, as well as the growing public recognition of the environmental and recreational value of rivers. The filmmakers do not take sides on the many controversies surrounding water in Colorado, but they do give voice to many of the key players. The narrative is accompanied by stunning images of Colorado’s landscape and many historical photographs.

Following the film, a panel of local water experts will offer their responses to the film and field questions. These will include Mark Harris of the Grand Valley Water Users Association; Jim Pokrandt of the Colorado River District; and Richard VanGytenbeek of Trout Unlimited.



The following organizations are among those helping the Water Center spread the word about this event, and will have tables at the reception: The Tamarisk Coalition, Colorado Canyons Association, the John McConnell Math & Science Center, The Western Colorado Center for the Arts and Grand Valley Audubon. REI is also helping publicize the event and is providing merchandise for door prizes.

This is part of a series of articles coordinated by the Water Center at Colorado Mesa University in cooperation with the Colorado and Gunnison Basin Roundtables to raise awareness about water needs, uses and policies in our region. To learn more, go to http://www.coloradomesa.edu/WaterCenter. You can also find the Water Center on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WaterCenter.CMU or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WaterCenterCMU.


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