Tri-County Water to take over spearheading lawsuit

The Tri-County Water Conservation District has taken the reins from Ouray County in leading a lawsuit proposing pipeline construction from Cow Creek to Ridgway Reservoir.

Proponents want the pipeline to ensure local users would not be cut off from water during drought, while opponents — about 20 entities including environmental groups, some local ranchers and state agencies — are fighting to ensure they have water downstream.

The controlling wa...