River District Welcomes New Board Members New and Re-appointed Directors On Tuesday, January 16, the Colorado River District Board of Directors welcomed two newly-appointed directors to its fifteen-member Board. Each county within the Colorado River District is represented by a director who is appointed by their respective Board of County Commissioners. All serve for
Hydrology and Big River Update From wet to dry – whiplash to continue in 2024? After a wet and joyous 2023 water year, water managers and planners are feeling a little less optimistic about 2024. The good times from the previous period of plenty are now replaced with a feeling of foreboding, like the
Information & Outreach Update 2023 External Affairs Achievements The River District’s External Affairs team continued successful outreach and engagement across the Western Slope and at state and regional levels throughout the 2023 calendar year. The spring State of the River season connected 1,000 West Slope water users with district staff and local partners at
Community Funding Partnership Update 2023 Program Achievements The Community Funding Partnership program successfully closed out its third year in operation since River District voters passed Ballot Measure 7A in November 2020. In 2023, the program awarded 30 grants totaling $7.8 million. In addition, the program celebrated a historic milestone by committing $20 million to
Federal Affairs Entering the 2024 election year, the Colorado River District continues to engage with our federal elected officials and relevant agencies on a regular basis. Much of the District’s work on federal issues at the end of 2023 centered on continued engagement with Colorado’s Congressional delegation on Farm Bill priorities, discussion of water
2024 Colorado Legislative Session Update Colorado River District staff works to maintain a regular presence at the Colorado State Capitol throughout the state legislative session. Position decisions on upcoming legislation are informed by the Board of Directors during bi-weekly meetings throughout the session. Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to attend those
Shoshone Preservation Moves Forward with $20 Million Commitment from the State CWCB votes in favor of 2024 Projects Bill appropriations for the Shoshone permanency project. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 29, 2024 Denver, Colorado — On Monday, January 29, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) voted unanimously to appropriate $20 million in the 2024 Projects
Community Funding Partnership Issues 2023 Annual Report Colorado River District grant program rounds out 2023 with over $7 million in funding awards. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Glenwood Springs, Colorado — On Wednesday, January 17, staff from the Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership (CFP) program presented the 2023 Annual Report to the
Historic Agreement Reached to Advance Colorado Water Security Shoshone Water Right Preservation Campaign kicks-off with Purchase & Sale Agreement to permanently protect flows in the Upper Colorado River. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 19, 2023 Glenwood Springs, CO — This afternoon, Xcel Energy and the Colorado River District signed a Purchase & Sale Agreement (PSA)
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Xcel Energy and the Colorado River District signed a purchase and sale agreement to transfer ownership of the historic Shoshone water rights to the River District. This agreement marks a first step towards permanent protection of the most senior, non-consumptive water right on the Colorado River; a project with
