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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Fight to Protect CO Watershed Goes to Washington

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Friday, March 7, 2014   

WASHINGTON – Colorado's Hermosa Creek Watershed is thousands of miles from Washington, but Thursday Colorado leaders, ranchers and business people were on Capitol Hill to explain its importance to the region's water supply.

Congress is considering legislation that would protect the more than 100,000 acres of the watershed north of Durango.

"Everyone agreed that we needed to have high-quality water,” said Ed Zink, a third-generation rancher in Durango who traveled to Washington to speak on the bipartisan bill.

“Water is the source of life and particularly in the arid West, water is essential."

The Hermosa Watershed Protection Act still will allow for all current uses for the land including hunting, fishing, backpacking and snowmobiling.

It was written based on three years of research and citizen input. The legislation is currently in committee.

In addition to providing water supply, the Hermosa Creek Watershed contains one of the state's largest biologically diverse forests.

A large majority of the area is without roads and is not impacted by human activity.

Zink said local efforts have protected the watershed up until now, but federal legislation is needed to ensure that continues.

"The Hermosa has been well-managed,” he said. “What the Hermosa Watershed Protection Act does is gives a little more permanency to the high level of management."

In Colorado, outdoor recreation generates more than $13 billion in consumer spending and is responsible for 125,000 thousand jobs.

Republican Rep. Scott Tipton and Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are the co-sponsors of the bill.





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