KREX, October 1, 2025- Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) has released its first Water Protection Plan Impact Report, marking one year of progress in securing water and land across Western Colorado.

Since launching the plan in September 2024, CWLT has permanently conserved eight properties, protecting 1,806 acres of irrigated farmland and 386 acres of riparian habitat. The group also helped protect more than 30 miles of rivers, including key stretches of the Gunnison, Uncompahgre and Dolores.

CWLT Executive Director Rob Bleiberg said the plan was built around identifying “those places around the West Slope that have very secure water rights so that even in the worst drought conditions, these irrigation districts are able to distribute water to farmers and ranchers.”

The organization analyzed state water diversion records during severe drought years to prioritize its work.

“We really wanted to get a sense of—even in the worst drought years—where are those places that will have water available to farmers and ranchers, available for recreation in our rivers,” said Bleiberg.

In addition to land conservation, CWLT and its partners completed 13 weeks of on-the-ground restoration work in 2025. Projects included erosion control, riparian replanting, and forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk and protect water infrastructure.

“We had a tremendous year,” said Bleiberg. “We made an impact in all four river basins in Western Colorado that we serve, and we worked with farmers and ranchers to make sure the lifeblood that supports our communities is available for future generations.”

By Marj Tobin, see full KREX article here.