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Hey, Congress: Colorado is doing its part, now we need you to do yours.
As someone who was raised on the Western Slope, I have always felt a deep connection to water. Whether it is snow on the slopes, rapids in the river or irrigation on our fields, water is the common thread that weaves together the future of our communities across geographic, political and socio-economic divides.
Now, as the state senator who represents the headwaters of the Colorado River, addressing my constituents means prioritizing our state’s water interests, which is becoming increasingly important. Rising temperatures and earlier snowmelt are resulting in lower river flows, while a steadily growing population means more demands on a stressed supply. We must continue to take decisive action to secure lasting solutions for the future of Colorado’s water security.
I am particularly proud that this year, the state of Colorado committed $20 million toward one such solution — the purchase and permanent protection of the water rights associated with the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant in Glenwood Canyon through House Bill 1435, known as the Water Projects bill.
The importance of securing this water right cannot be overstated.
The Shoshone water rights are among the largest and most senior on the mainstem of the Colorado River and ensure year-round flows through more than 250 miles of river from the Continental Divide to the Colorado-Utah border. These rights are unique not only for their scope and seniority but also for their non-consumptive nature, returning every drop of water to the river after spinning through the turbines.
Sustaining the Shoshone flows is critical to the communities that depend on the Colorado River for clean drinking water, recreation economies and productive agriculture.
The effort to permanently protect these foundational water rights is gaining momentum but it’s not a done deal yet. In December, the Colorado River District, on behalf of a growing coalition of water entities and local governments, entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, to buy the water rights for $99 million.
The agreement requires the river district to meet the funding requirements and attach an instream flow beneficial use to the water rights. Working closely with the state, the river district plans to complete a change case in water court to ensure that, regardless of the status of power production, water will continue to flow as it has for more than 100 years.
Since the signing of the agreement only five months ago, the Shoshone Water Right Preservation Coalition has raised nearly half of the $99 million needed to fund the purchase and is now turning to federal sources to close the remaining gap.
The broad-based support for this endeavor is clear. Proponents include Republicans and Democrats, residents from Grand County to Mesa County, ranchers, rafters, environmentalists and a wide array of state leaders.
Along with my co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle — Sen. Cleave Simpson, a Republican who represents District 6 on the Western Slope, and Reps. Karen McCormick, D-Boulder County, and Marc Catlin, a Republican who represents District 58 on the Western Slope — I am proud of the Colorado General Assembly’s leadership and near-unanimous support from both sides of the partisan and continental divides.
The price tag is not small, but the opportunity for a permanent, durable solution for our state’s namesake river must not be overlooked. This investment will pay enormous dividends for today’s water users and future generations of Coloradans. The state has now become a key partner.
Now, let’s finish the job.
In order to get this done, I and others now call on Colorado’s Congressional delegation to ensure decision-makers in Washington understand how critical the Shoshone water rights are to Colorado’s future. With a meaningful investment from the federal government, our Congressional representatives can help close the funding gap and make the permanent protection of these crucial water rights a reality.
Local governments and water users have stepped up. The state of Colorado has stepped up. Now it’s time for federal action.
The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
Dylan Roberts is a Democratic state senator for District 8, which includes Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties.
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