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Monday, 18 March 2013 |
DARCA Workshop Series
Enhancing Communication and Reducing Uncertainty Between Local Government and Ditch Companies
When: March 29, 2013
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Cedaredge Community Center
140 NW 2nd ST
Cedaredge, CO
Download an Agenda
Local and County Ordinances: Local urbanization issues and the increasing cost of doing business in today’s regulatory and legal environment have complicated the matter of running ditch companies in Colorado. The workshop will focus on development of guidelines and standards that reduce transaction costs and risks by providing more certainty in local regulations and property rights disputes.
Positive Externalities: Ditch companies and their vibrant agricultural economies support many rural cities and towns and provide them with a cultural backbone. Farms and ranches produce food and fiber and support more than just the farm and ranch owners; a range of employees, seasonal workers, and associated businesses also depend on them, as do local governments that are sustained by the taxes they pay. Ditch systems provide environmental benefits in the form of riparian corridors for flora and fauna and constructed wetlands that lead to more livable communities and tourism dollars. Irrigation may also provide water for late season return flows that extend recreational and irrigation seasons while supporting additional environmental flow needs.
Outcome: Until ditch companies are able to resolve some of their local disputes and become more flexible, they may have difficulty taking advantage of resources and infrastructure subsidies. To reduce transaction costs and allow ditch companies to take advantage of opportunities to improve their infrastructure and remain competitive, better processes and systems for resolving these disputes are needed. The guidelines and standards developed will begin to forge more productive relationships between ditch companies and neighbors that allow for the mutually beneficial continuation of profitable, irrigated agriculture and the public benefits it provides and ensure that ditch companies are better able to access current and potential future funding sources for infrastructure improvements. In the future, both private investment (possibly in the form of low interest loans) and local micro-subsidies, along with continued public funding from the Farm Bill and state programs, will be needed to fully compensate ditch companies and irrigated agriculture for the benefits they provide.
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Saturday, 02 March 2013 |
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For the 2013 11th Annual Convention, DARCA Had 20 Exhibitors Thank-You, Exhibitors, for Helping Out Our Convention
Exhibitors
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Wednesday, 20 February 2013 |
11th Annual DARCA Convention:Water for Food; Food for Life
This year's convention will be held from March 6-8, in Grand Junction. Thanks to all of our sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors for making the convention possible. We look forward to seeing you all at the convention, and if you don't make it to this year's convention, make sure to check it out next year!
Many Thanks to the Sponsors of DARCA’s 2013 Convention
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