Colorado Agency Supports Acquisition of Colorado River Water Rights

The Colorado Water Conservation Board has approved an effort by the Colorado River Water Conservation District, also known as the Colorado River District, to purchase West Slope hydropower water rights on the Colorado River and convert them to an “in-stream flow” for future generations when power production may conclude. 

Under the plan, water rights tied to the Shoshone Hydroelectric Generating Station east of Glenwood Springs will be purchased by the Colorado River District using federal, state and local funds and then leased to Xcel Energy Inc. for hydropower production. If the plant ceases to operate, these rights will ensure water remains in the river at the plant’s location. 

Northern Water supports the acquisition and is working to ensure that as this initiative progresses to its next steps, careful review of annual water use under the water rights occurs to ensure Colorado-Big Thompson Project and Windy Gap Project water users are unaffected by the conversion of the water rights to an in-stream flow.