Hickenlooper says Colo. can balance water use, gas

By The AP
Thursday, January 27, 2011

DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper says Colorado can balance economic development and environmental issues to help the Western Slope grow.

Leaders from Club 20, which lobbies on behalf of western Colorado communities, told the governor today they’re worried that Front Range communities will take more water at their expense and stifle natural gas development.

Hickenlooper said the state can aggressively support extraction industries and protect the environment. He said he has advisers who are helping him develop water policies that will allow the entire state to continue to grow and protect water users.