- Lawmakers support funding to buy Shoshone Water Rights.
- Aims to preserve Colorado River flows amid drought.
- $55 million pledged by Western Colorado communities.
October 10, 2024 — On Monday, Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with Representatives Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Diana DeGette, announced their support for the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD)’s application for federal funding for the Shoshone Permanency Project.  The funding would help purchase two of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River in Colorado, known as the Shoshone Water Rights.
The federal lawmakers’ support of the project follows a September 6, 2024, letter from the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District to Sen. John Hickenlooper and other federal and state officials that raised several concerns regarding the plan. The conservancy district’s opposition stemmed from potential deviations from historical water use patterns and the risk posed to critical water storage pools.
Lawmakers’ Letter to the Bureau of Reclamation.
The lawmakers wrote to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) endorsing the CRWCD’s application. They highlighted the importance of preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow, stating, “Preserving the Colorado River’s historical flow regime as intended by the Shoshone Permanency Project will benefit the Colorado River ecosystem every year, and especially in dry years.” [PDF download of the letter.]
Community and Environmental Benefits.
Communities across Western Colorado have already committed over $55 million toward the purchase. The funding aims to create stability for local communities, water and recreational users, and the environment. The lawmakers emphasized that the purchase would support the river’s ecosystem, particularly during drought.
Funding Opportunity Details.
Reclamation’s Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Drought Mitigation program is accepting applications for funding through November 22, 2024. The lawmakers encouraged other applicants to contact their offices for support in the application process.
Change in Beneficial Use.
As part of the Shoshone Permanency Project, the CRWCD plans to seek a change in water rights to include alternate beneficial uses and preserve the historical flow regime. The state of Colorado will conduct a formal review of this change separately from any federal funding decisions. Data collection and analysis on the historic use of the Shoshone Water Rights are ongoing. They will play a crucial role in the state’s review.
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