Water touches everything in a mountain community, from housing and development to agriculture, recreation, wildfire resilience, and long-term sustainability. In this episode, Ashley and Jessica sit down with Greg Felt, General Manager of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, to talk about what people in Colorado mountain towns need to understand about water. Greg explains how augmentation works, why groundwater and surface water are connected, what people get wrong about drought, and whether communities like Salida and Chaffee County are actually running out of water. He also shares practical insight for buyers, builders, and property owners who want to make smarter decisions about wells, land, and long-term water realities. If you live in, invest in, or care about the future of Colorado mountain towns, this conversation gives important context for the choices communities are making right now. What You’ll Hear What the Arkansas River can teach us about the future of mountain communitiesWhat the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District actually doesWhy augmentation is better understood as water “replacement”How groundwater and surface water function as an interconnected systemWhy Greg does not believe the Upper Arkansas Valley is simply running out of waterThe difference between legal water and physical waterHow drought and groundwater recharge can play out over years or decadesWhy snow, streams, irrigation ditches, and agriculture all contribute to aquifer rechargeHow Salida, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, and Custer County approach water differentlyWhy Greg sees agriculture, healthy forests, and water infrastructure as essential to long-term resilienceWhat buyers should investigate before purchasing land to build in a Colorado mountain community Guest Bio Greg Felt has worked on the Arkansas River as a guide and outfitter since 1985 and is one of the founders of ArkAnglers in Salida and Buena Vista. With a life and career built around water, he now serves as General Manager of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District and as a director of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. He has been twice appointed by the governor to represent the Arkansas River Basin on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, serving as Chair in 2023-2024. In 2016, he was elected Chaffee County Commissioner and finished his second term at the end of 2024. During his time as commissioner, he led county response to the Decker Fire, served as Board of Health Chair through the pandemic years of 2020-2022, and was co-lead of the Envision Chaffee County process. He lives in Salida with his wife, Susan. Guest Links Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District: https://www.uawcd.com/ ArkAnglers: https://www.arkanglers.com/ Real Estate in the Rockies is the podcast exploring Colorado mountain real estate, housing, land use, development, zoning, community growth, and mountain living in Salida, Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and communities across the Rockies. Hosted by Colorado real estate attorney Ashley Kappel and local realtor Jessica Chariton, the show brings together developers, community leaders, housing experts, investors, and local voices to break down the conversations shaping mountain towns today. Whether you’re buying property in Colorado, navigating real estate development, exploring affordable housing challenges, or simply interested in the future of mountain communities, Real Estate in the Rockies delivers real conversations and local insight from the people living and working in these communities every day. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for new episodes every week. Connect with Jessica: https://jessicachariton.homesmartpreferredrealty.com/ Connect with Ashley: https://www.collegiatepeakslawandmediation.com/ Please share this podcast with anyone who is interested in Real Estate development, Community Conversations about living in Colorado Mountain Towns.