Summary
On 20 November 2023, the Town Board of Lyons, Colorado unanimously adopted a Rights-of-Nature like resolution to protect the St. Vrain Creek watersheds and resolves that the St. Vrain Creek watersheds, including the plants, animals, and associated ecosystems, should be considered in all decisions that could impact them.
The resolution emphasizes the interdependency between the health and well-being of the St. Vrain Creeks and Town residents, and states that it is “the Town’s responsibility to act as a steward of nature and of these watersheds.”
“The Town Board recognizes that the St. Vrain Creeks should possess, at minimum, the following fundamental conditions:
a. A flow sufficient in quantity to support and maintain ecosystem health;
b. A functioning channel and floodplain riverine ecosystem, including horizontal and longitudinal connectivity, areas for infiltration of precipitation and groundwater recharge, moving and depositing sediments, and the natural habitats for native plants and animals;
c. That the watersheds feed and be fed by rainfall, snowmelt, and aquifers;
d. That biodiversity is maintained; and
e. That the predominantly free-flowing nature of the South St. Vrain Creek is maintained.”
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/town-of-lyons-colorado-u-s-resolution-to-protect-the-st-vrain-creek-watersheds-and-ecosystems/.
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