Referendum A causes controversy over water spending
Referendum A asks Colorado residents to approve a $2 billion
bond for water projects. This bond will provide money for things
like enhancing existing reservoirs and building new ones.
Both the opposition and the supporters of Referendum A want the
public to be informed when they cast their votes on Tuesday.
“I strongly support new water storage,” said Rep. Scott McInnis,
a U.S. representative for Durango, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction
and Pueblo. “It is critical to Colorado’s future.”
Although McInnis supports storage, something Referendum A claims
to provide money for, he does not support the referendum.
“After considering the facts,” McInnis said, “Referendum A is
fundamentally flawed, and I cannot support an initiative that does
not provide binding assurances and protections for each and every
part of Colorado.”
Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez said this referendum has more
structure than those opposing it would like the public to
believe.
“People opposing (Referendum A) think it’s spending with no
direction,” Martinez said. “It is the opposite. It has much
direction.”
Martinez said the referendum would not affect Fort Collins as
much as other cities.
“Colorado’s water pulses through every person and animal in this
state,” said Roland Kuehn from the Colorado Rivers Alliance.
Unlike the mayor, Kuehn claims this referendum has no
direction.
“Where will these projects be built and what rivers and
communities will be affected directly by Referendum A?” Kuehn
asked. “We do not know.”
The economy touches the debate of both camps.
“To hand over the decision regarding what happens to that water
spells disaster for our health, our economy, our communities and
our rivers,” Kuehn said.
Colorado Rep. Bob McCluskey, a representative for east Fort
Collins, disagrees with those opposing Referendum A.
“Referendum A is important to the future of Colorado, it is
important to the quality of life and it is important to the
economic situation in the future,” McCluskey said.
Colorado residents will have to make a stance Tuesday.
“Water is the one thing that connects us all. If Referendum A
passes it will be water that divides us,” Kuehn said.
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