A PBS12 Original: This captivating documentary from Colorado filmmakers Alan Domínguez and Raúl Paz-Pastrana, takes you to the heart of the San Luis Valley to explore the critical issue of water and its profound effect on the lives, livelihoods, and future of the region. The film highlights the tension between large-scale agriculture and more natural, sustainable approaches to land management. You’ll learn about the importance and resilience of traditional acequia irrigation systems, and how they've adapted to the challenges of a changing climate. Dr. Devon Peña is featured as a speaker for the resilience and sustainability of acequia systems.
Hear firsthand accounts from farmers and ranchers in the San Luis Valley as they navigate the realities of diminishing water resources and witness their resilience and determination of the community to preserve their way of life. Following the documentary, Tom Mustin leads a crucial roundtable discussion with leading Colorado water experts: Jim Lochhead, former CEO of Denver Water, Sarah Klahn, water law attorney, and Tom Romero, law professor at the University of Denver. The panel delves into the critical issues facing Colorado's water resources, expanding on the stories and challenges highlighted in the documentary. They explore the complexities of water law in the state and its implications in an era of increasing water scarcity and climate change.
Go to: Decode Colorado