Pipeline Assists Agriculture

Pipeline Assists Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin with Lacy Gray for Colorado Ag Today.

Western Colorado agriculture is getting a much needed boost thanks to a new pipeline.

GRAY: The completion of the pipeline project for the Kobe Pump State and pipeline stretches from the Colorado River near De Beque to about 5 miles northwest in the Roan Creek Valley. A dedication ceremony was held on Friday to celebrate the completion.

MARTIN: While one benefit to the pipeline project will benefit production needs for the gas processing plant and fracking in particular, the benefit for agriculture is water for irrigation. Both needs have been cited as a benefit.

GRAY: De Beque holds the water rights that are senior to many local farmers and ranchers who have been cut off from irrigation from time to time. The pipeline will make it easier to provide much needed water for efficiently as well as cut down on traffic.

MARTIN: Mesa County Commissioners have been happy with the project which also provided jobs for around 300. It gets trucks off the road, provides water for ag and natural gas for heating of homes in the area. The company Black Hills financed the pipelines at a cost of around 8 million dollars with no cost to local taxpayers.

And that's Colorado Ag Today. I'm Greg Martin, thanks for listening on the Ag Information Network of the West.