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As County leaders, we must protect our region. Our quality of life is directly connected to our commitment to build a tomorrow that preserves the best of today. This vision includes protecting our natural resources, utilizing our county’s resources in a fiscally-smart manner, and wisely planning for our future. Thank you for standing with us.
Western Slope Water Theft?
A group of public entities, funded with tax dollars, just stole one million acre feet of Colorado River water into perpetuity!
If that seems like an outlandish, head-scratching allegation, it is.
In a major transaction, a coalition of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, counties, cities and water providers reached a deal to acquire one million acre feet of water rights from Xcel Energy.
Specifically, the project taps the state’s largest and most senior non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River, which dates back to 1902 and is known as the Shoshone rights, named for the power plant that sits just east of Glenwood Springs.
The price tag is nearly $99 million, with virtually all the funding coming in tax or local water ratepayer dollars – including an investment of $20 million in state funds.
The goal is to support in-stream flows for environmental and economic reasons – including to protect revenue-generating tourism on the river.
A media report on the deal reported the coalition reacted to the reality of pressure on water supplies from a changing climate, as well as “available funding and a willing seller.”
Water rights are property rights, and willing sellers – even a huge power company – treat water rights as major financial assets to be bought and sold in the marketplace, subject to law and regulation.
No one claimed the coalition is “stealing” water or that the public officials who crafted the deal are a bunch of crooks.
Yet in Douglas County, some public officials irresponsibly and falsely claim that a plan that is 98 percent smaller than the Western Slope transaction – a project that is being launched with private sector dollars – is the water equivalent of what was projected in the 1903 film, The Great Train Robbery.
Whether one likes the deal struck over water in Glenwood Springs, the fact is that the leaders there recognized the growing need for action considering changing circumstances, and they seized an opportunity to meet what they believe is a major water goal in that region. One such goal is to ensure the future of water security for communities throughout Garfield County, said one local leader in speaking to the press.
What a contrast with status-quo, elected office holders like Commissioner Lora Thomas – running for yet another public office – whose off-the-rails rhetoric and outright lies is the latest example of career politicians who would rather emote than lead.
Recent Headlines
Colorado River coalition gains funding to purchase of 1 million acre-feet of Shoshone water rights
… A deal reached between Xcel Energy and the Colorado River Water Conservation District late last year means the river district will take ownership of a million acre feet of water every year — in perpetuity. It won’t add water to the Colorado River, but it will ensure that river flows remain healthy for decades to come. That's more water than is stored in Blue Mesa Reservoir, the state's largest.
In the wake of what experts anticipate is a hotter, drier climate future, increasing price of water and interest in water speculation, the district didn't want to miss the opportunity of available funding and a willing seller.
The deal, which is 20 years in the making, taps the state’s largest and most senior non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River, which dates back to 1902 and is known as the Shoshone rights, named for the power plant that sits just east of Glenwood Springs. The water rights flow through the turbines at the Shoshone power plant.
…Andy Mueller, the general manager for the river district, said the key is when one looks at the water rights administration on the main stem of the Colorado River, Shoshone results in a significant amount of water being available in the river for recreation use above and below the plant.
…Everybody benefits from the deal, said Mueller, who noted he's never been part of a fundraising effort before but that he's getting calls from communities that say, "Can you come talk to us? We'd like to give you money."
Garfield adds $3 million to Shoshone water rights purchase pot
Garfield County commissioners have committed $3 million to the effort to buy the historic Colorado River water rights for the Shoshone hydroelectric power plant, the most that any local partner has pledged toward the purchase effort being led by the Colorado River District.
Garfield commissioners approved the funding Monday. Altogether, $54.15 million has been raised so far toward the $99 million purchase of the rights.
“It’s the future, 20, 50, 100 years from now,” Garfield Commissioner John Martin said in an interview about the importance of the deal.
He said it’s almost as important as the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which allocates water in the river between Upper and Lower Basin states.
…River district General Manager Andy Mueller said in the release, “The county’s leadership and significant investment in protecting these critical water rights will go a long way to ensure the future of water security for communities throughout Garfield County. The counties on the West Slope act as anchor points for managing natural resources, and their support for this project demonstrates its importance to the future of the people and the economies they represent.”
Colorado has its own court system in charge of all water matters, known as Colorado Water Court, composed of seven districts each with its own water judge.
Water judges are district judges appointed by the Supreme Court and have jurisdiction in the determination of water rights, the use and administration of water, and all other water matters within the water division.
Upcoming News from DCFF
Every other week, DCFF will report on important news and challenges impacting our community. We hope you will stay engaged and connected with us.
