SAN LUIS VALLEY — American Rivers, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, and One Water ECON, a strategic planning and economics consulting firm, have collaborated and published “The Economic Value of Water Resources in Colorado's San Luis Valley,” a 29-page study analyzing the river's importance to the region. 

One of the most striking revelations from the study is the San Luis Valley's unique role in Colorado's agriculture. Despite having a population that is less than one percent of the state's total, the Valley produces a staggering 39 percent of all agricultural output in Colorado. 

Highlights from the study: 

• Agriculture

According to the study, irrigated agriculture in the Valley consumes 75% of the Rio Grande's flow and waters 400,000 acres of land. 

The Valley contributes 39% of Colorado's total agricultural output and generates $100 million in economic output annually. 

• Recreation and Tourism

Water-based recreation is not just a leisure activity, but a significant economic driver. It accounts for 2.5 million aquatic-related recreation user days each year, from Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to wetland and riparian ecosystems that attract Sandhill cranes and other birds and their admirers. The study estimated that water-related recreation provides a substantial $213.7 million in revenue annually and an additional $365.9 million in direct sales. This industry has created over 2,000 jobs in the Valley, paying residents $102.7 million. 

• Habitat and Cultural Values

The economic study acknowledges that critical riparian habitat for many species, including Sandhill Cranes, supports over 75% of the Valley's wildlife, including over 160 species of birds. This habitat generates tourism-related revenue of $49.7 million. 

• Domestic Water Use

The value of clean drinking water in the San Luis Valley is estimated to be over $3.6 billion per day. The City of Alamosa is utilizing projects from Water Now Alliance's 

Project Accelerator program. The study states that the City aims to develop water efficiency programs to ensure equitable water benefits for all residents, particularly those in lower income brackets. 

The total annual economic output for the Valley is $4.5 billion annually. 

According to the study, water either flowing through the watershed, drawn from the Rio Grande and its many local tributaries, or pumped from the aquifers that underlie the Valley floor, this resource in the Valley contribute significantly to economic activity in the six counties that make up the Valley community.  They also play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems. Understanding the value of water as it is used in homes, businesses, and for environmental purposes can add necessary information to conversations about the future of the Valley and its water resources. 

Water in the San Luis Valley is a source of life, and a catalyst for a wide range of social, financial, and environmental benefits. The report by American Rivers and One Water ECON quantifies the value of water in the area across its diverse uses, from residential drinking water to irrigating barley fields to providing riparian habitat for trout that attract many recreational anglers.  

The report concludes, "Water resources in the San Luis Valley support many social, financial, and environmental benefits. From drinking water in residential homes to irrigating barley fields to providing riparian habitat for trout that attract many recreational anglers, water supports life in the Valley in many fundamental ways."