Authors argue that a paradigm shift is happening where viewing water solely as a commodity or resource and is being replaced by acknowledging its ecological and social connections. This has significant implications for water management, and how Colorado approaches water management is of significant interest as we move forward with the Colorado Water Plan. Through interviews with farmers and ranchers in the Gunnison River Basin of Colorado, this paper explores the theme of interconnectedness and how this affects the goals and best approach to water management. It concludes that despite a number of opinions which reflect the emerging paradigm, application of this paradigm varies greatly between people and topic, and can be more integrated into how we think of water management.
The author has given permission for this work to be deposited in the Digital Archive of Colorado College.
Colorado College Honor Code upheld.
Includes bibliographical references.
The author has given permission for this work to be deposited in the Digital Archive of Colorado College.
Colorado College Honor Code upheld.