[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27526]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO KENNETH ``BLUE'' BALCOMB--A FIERCE DEFENDER OF WATER 
                           RIGHTS IN COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my condolences to 
the Balcomb family of Glenwood Springs, Colorado who recently 
experienced a tragic loss with the death of Kenneth ``Blue'' Balcomb. 
He passed away on November 17th.
  Recently, I had the opportunity to get to know Ken. He was a 
brilliant, devoted and talented person. Because of his genius, water on 
the Western Slope of Colorado will be protected for generations. Mr. 
Balcomb died Thursday and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of 
knowing and working with him.
  Ken Balcomb was General Counsel for the Colorado River Water 
Conservation District from the early 1960s until 1981 when the District 
hired in-house counsel. Under Mr. Balcomb's advice and leadership, the 
River District successfully fought back aggressive water filings by 
Front Range cities and irrigation districts thirsting for West Slope 
water. It also fought federal intrusion into Colorado's state-run water 
rights system, ensuring that the federal government adjudicate its 
water rights like everyone else through Colorado's water courts. On 
this point, Mr. Balcomb represented the River District on three 
occasions before the U.S. Supreme Court, leaving victorious each time.
  I grew to know Ken over the last year and he never hesitated to offer 
his experience, knowledge and assistance to myself and others.
  Ken was certainly an inspiration to me and to everyone who had the 
opportunity to meet him, and I am grateful for the short amount of time 
I was able to spend with him. I know my life and the lives of those he 
knew and loved were enriched by his presence, and he will surely be 
missed.
  I agree with the Colorado River Water Conservation District--Western 
Colorado lost a true friend and leader with the passing of Kenneth 
Balcomb.

                          ____________________