US EditionHistoric Colorado River deal to conserve flows advances after winning key approval from state water board
The $99 million plan secures senior Shoshone water rights for environmental flows and Western Slope use, involving co-management by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado River District.
- Accepting the two Shoshone water rights, the CWCB voted to approve the acquisition, enabling a co-managed arrangement with the River District.
- The River District has pursued the rights for years to acquire two senior Shoshone water rights, aimed at preserving westward flows and limiting Front Range water providers' transmountain diversions for Western Slope communities.
- Western Slope backers pledged key funding including $37 million from thirty-two Western Slope entities, more than $16 million from local governments and organizations, and $1 million from Mesa County, while co-management between CWCB and River District was essential.
- A joint water-court filing and PUC review are next, as the CWCB, River District, and Xcel Energy plan to seek approval while water court decides historic flow amounts and Front Range providers seek call-relaxation guarantees.
- Supporters argue the move secures river health and benefits Western Slope ecosystems and communities by protecting 1,408 cubic feet per second, about 1 million acre-feet a year, for 40 million people downstream.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Shoshone water rights acquisition approved by Colorado board
Colorado’s water board on Wednesday approved the acquisition of water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant for permanent instream flow protection. The deal to purchase water rights from Xcel Energy for $99 million aims to ensure that a significant amount of water from the Colorado River continues to flow downstream during periods of low […]
Colorado River District secures instream flow agreement for its proposed Shoshone Water Right acquisition
The Colorado River District’s acquisition of the Shoshone water rights cleared a critical hurdle on Wednesday night as it entered into an instream flow agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The agreement — which faced opposition from several Front Range water providers — will ensure that flows tied to the water rights will remain in the Colorado River for environmental benefits. Supporters lauded the approval — which followed a…
Major water right approval could protect ample Colorado River flows
The Colorado River flows through Palisade on June 9, 2023. The railroad is seen at left running through town and meeting up with the river near the top of the frame. (William Woody for Colorado Newsline)State leaders are applauding another major step finalized Wednesday toward permanently protecting upper Colorado River water flows on the Western Slope. Members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board gave unanimous approval to an agreement betw…
Historic Colorado River deal to conserve flows advances after winning key approval from state water board
A yearslong effort to purchase two of the most powerful water rights on the Colorado River has cleared another hurdle after the state water board agreed to manage the rights alongside Western Slope water officials. The Colorado Water Conservation Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept the two water rights tied to the Shoshone Power Plant into its environmental flow program. The approval is a critical piece in the Colorado River Distri…
Historic Colorado River deal to conserve flows advances after winning key approval from state water board
A yearslong effort to purchase two of the most powerful water rights on the Colorado River has cleared another hurdle after the state water board agreed to manage the rights alongside Western Slope water officials. The Colorado Water Conservation Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept the two water rights tied to the Shoshone Power Plant into its environmental flow program. The approval is a critical piece in the Colorado River Distri…
Historic Colorado River deal to conserve flows advances after winning key approval from state water board
The Colorado Water Conservation Board voted Wednesday night to accept Colorado River water rights tied to the Shoshone Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon into the instream flow program.
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