A number of Hispanic leaders from Western states have come together in a group called Nuestro Rio to ensure the preservation of the Colorado River, as it is being threatened by climate change, chronic drought, and the ever-increasing surrounding population.
The Colorado River in the feeder for a number of water sources in 7 western states, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. It runs into Lake Mead in Nevada, and in the last decade, the lake’s water level has dropped enough that a ring is clearly visible around its walls.
The Gila River, which once flowed into the Colorado River, no longer does due to heavy water demands nearby cities and crops.
Nuestro Rio is “a network of Hispanics in the West that use our collective voice to educate our communities about the history of Hispanics and the Colorado River and to tell our story as we advocate for a healthy river for generations to come.”
