Highlights from the

13th Annual

Congreso de Acequias

On March 8, the Sangre de Cristo Acequia Association hosted the thirteenth Congreso de Acequias in San Luis. Over 130 irrigators and community members celebrated Colorado’s cherished acequia heritage and shared resources. After the ceremonial blessing of the waters, morning sessions focused on preserving traditions. Four farmers shared unique journeys producing food in shared water systems. Each illustrated the joys and challenges of balancing farming with other responsibilities, and they each showed gratitude for the resources and relationships which helped them over time.

Then, students at University of Colorado Boulder’s Acequia Assistance Project presented updates on research projects and legal assistance. Throughout the day, these students connected with irrigators. Before lunch, several key community members explained the expansion of the Plaza de San Luis de la Culebra Historic District.

Lunchtime featured artwork, music, and a community meal from San Luis’s own Picadilly. Nearly 100 students from the Southern San Luis Valley participated in Congreso’s annual art contest. Artwork centered around the theme “How can we cherish and share our water?” Nineteen winners were announced, while all participants received a small prize. After lunch, songwriter Ruben Dominguez performed four tunes for attendees, all of which explored themes relevant to acequias.

Afternoon sessions centered on practical land and water stewardship ideas for producers. Regan Velasquez presented on Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing. He explained the economic and environmental benefits and demonstrated clever, cost-effective solutions to make the ideas more practical. Then, six partners hosted interactive sessions: native plants of the Culebra region and their traditional uses, soil chromatography, fungal-rich compost extract preparation, water infiltration and runoff, a local foods taste test, and an outdoor paddock setup with electric fence. Thank you to everyone who hosted these sessions!

Overall, the event instilled a sense of what it means for acequias to endure. From legal protections for water, to microbial enhancements for soil, from traditional songs which convey meaning, to historic buildings which contain history and local produce alike, this year’s Congreso showcased the work being done to create thriving acequia communities. The Sangre de Cristo Acequia Association thanks for you being part of the tremendous history and bright future for Southern Colorado’s acequias!

We would like to thank our generous sponsors who helped make the event possible this year: The Acequia Institute, San Luis People’s Market, The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Trinchera-Blanca Foundation, Rio Grande Basin Roundtable, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Costilla County Conservancy District, Adams State University’s Salazar Center, CSU Extension, San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition, Goose Meadows Ranch, and Cactus Hill Farms.

See you next year and have a great growing season!