Secretary of the Interior visits Northern Colorado to learn about water, wildfire challenges

It's been a dry season, and water supply and wildfires are top of mind for many Coloradans. On Thursday, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum was in Colorado to learn about our state's preparations.

The Signature Bluffs Open Space along the Poudre River is a good example of that, and it's an important wildlife area to Greeley.

"It's also a really well-loved, recreation area for the public," said Hally Strevy, the Executive Director of the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed.

That's one of the reasons the CPRW has been doing so much work restoring it.

"Basically, acting like beaver and putting in these log structures, beaver dam analogs, to slow the flow of water onto the floodplain, to increase riparian vegetation, to collect sediment and improve water quality," said Strevy. "All of this work combined is really going to help us weather these drought years."

They want to get more done, but they need help; that's why they took the time on Thursday to show Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum the area and explain how protecting it will protect all of Northern Colorado.

"We'll be able to reconnect the river to the floodplain, which in turn is going to reduce flood risk. And also help the lower river corridor maintain, stay healthy, especially in years when there might be less flow in the river as well," said Strevy.

That's exactly why he was in Greeley with local Congressman Gabe Evans, who represents Colorado's eighth congressional district. He wants to see the challenges Coloradans are facing related to water and wildfire.

He thinks the federal government can help local groups like CPRW.

"Whether it's deploying aviation or whether it's putting resources in the right place, that we can do that in a coordinated way," said Burgum.

Strevy says she is optimistic that if everyone works together, they can do great things across the state.

"It's hard to see what's actually happening at the nationwide level until you come and see it in person," said Strevy.