As shortages intensify, big water fight canceled

A huge and beloved Colorado water fight has been canceled after local leaders of unincorporated Pueblo West calculated the event would have wasted the equivalent of an estimated 56,252 toilet flushes.

This annual Pueblo West Fourth of July Wet Parade — which in the past has drawn up to 18,000 participants and given local businesses a boost — clashes with growing needs to conserve water, town officials decided at a meeting Monday night.

The Pueblo West Metro District board members also are imposing water restrictions for their 33,000 residents in response to dry times and insufficient supplies.

Less water than needed from the Twin Lakes mountain reservoir and other sources, combined with “explosive growth,” has led to Pueblo West running at a water deficit of about 1,100 acre feet (1 acre foot = 325,851 gallons) each year over the past two years, utilities deputy director Jeffrey Deherrera told board members. “That means we use more than we bring in,” Deherrera said in the meeting. “And our deficit is likely to be higher than 1,100 acre-feet this year.”

The town website still touts the parade as America’s biggest water fight west of the Mississippi River. It has featured truck-mounted water blasters and widespread gleeful splashing along Joe Martinez Boulevard.

But utility staffers calculated each participant likely would spray 5 gallons of water, about 90,000 gallons overall — roughly the equivalent of flushing 56,252 toilets.

Board president Kim Swearingen issued a statement saying district staffers will plan a different kind of July 4th event. “We continue to listen to citizens who are both concerned about wasting water for a wet parade and those who enjoyed the traditional celebration. Finding balance between the two requests, as well as being responsible with our own water usage, we will host Fourth of July events to enjoy, while being conscious of water consumption.”

For years, Pueblo West leaders have promoted population growth, and the population has nearly doubled since 2000 — beyond what available water can sustain.

Pueblo West’s website still includes an appeal for new commercial and industrial enterprises and lists dozens of properties available for development. But board members in March set a limit on water taps for new residential construction at 400 a year for this year and next, and 100 in 2024.

The chief administrator Brian Caserta told board members the parade is a cherished event but that, due to water pressures as well as safety concerns and staffing costs, he favored rethinking best interests. He suggested a community celebration “without a huge water fight” in the future.

“I know that’s going to disappoint a lot of people,” Caserta said. “I’ve enjoyed it too.”