US EditionHistoric Colorado River Deal to Conserve Flows Advances After Winning Key Approval From State Water Board
The Colorado Water Conservation Board unanimously approved co-management of senior Shoshone water rights, securing a $99 million deal to protect key river flows for ecosystems and communities.
- On Nov. 19, 2025, the Colorado Water Conservation Board voted unanimously to accept the Shoshone water rights into its instream-flow program and approved co-management with the Colorado River Water Conservation District.
- With funding in place from Western Slope supporters and the legislature, the River District plans to buy Shoshone water rights from Xcel Energy for $99 million, supported by pledges from local entities and a legislative appropriation.
- The Shoshone rights, dating to the early 1900s, can command 1,408 cubic feet per second—about 1 million acre-feet per year—and return all water to the Colorado River mainstem to sustain habitats.
- The Colorado Water Conservation Board and River District will now file in water court and seek Colorado Public Utilities Commission review, after Western Slope funding partners threatened to withdraw support without co-management.
- Supporters hailed the move as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, securing instream flows that protect ecosystems, farms, and recreation for hundreds of communities and 40 million downstream users.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Colorado River District secures instream flow agreement for its proposed Shoshone Water Right acquisition
The Colorado River District’s acquisition of the Shoshone water rights cleared a critical hurdle on Wednesday night as it entered into an instream flow agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The agreement — which faced opposition from several Front Range water providers — will ensure that flows tied to the water rights will remain in the Colorado River for environmental benefits. Supporters lauded the approval — which followed a…
Historic Colorado River deal to conserve flows advances after winning key approval from state water board
A yearslong effort to purchase two of the most powerful water rights on the Colorado River has cleared another hurdle after the state water board agreed to manage the rights alongside Western Slope water officials.
Shoshone water rights acquisition approved by Colorado board
Colorado’s water board on Wednesday approved the acquisition of water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant for permanent instream flow protection. The deal to purchase water rights from Xcel Energy for $99 million aims to ensure that a significant amount of water from the Colorado River continues to flow downstream during periods of low […]
Colorado River District secures instream flow agreement for its proposed Shoshone Water Right acquisition
The Colorado River District’s acquisition of the Shoshone water rights cleared a critical hurdle on Wednesday night as it entered into an instream flow agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The agreement — which faced opposition from several Front Range water providers — will ensure that flows tied to the water rights will remain in the Colorado River for environmental benefits. Supporters lauded the approval — which followed a…
Colorado River District secures instream flow agreement for its proposed Shoshone Water Right acquisition
The Colorado River District’s acquisition of the Shoshone water rights cleared a critical hurdle on Wednesday night as it entered into an instream flow agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The agreement — which faced opposition from several Front Range water providers — will ensure that flows tied to the water rights will remain in the Colorado River for environmental benefits. Supporters lauded the approval — which followed a…
Colorado River District secures instream flow agreement for its proposed Shoshone Water Right acquisition
The Colorado River District’s acquisition of the Shoshone water rights cleared a critical hurdle on Wednesday night as it entered into an instream flow agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The agreement — which faced opposition from several Front Range water providers — will ensure that flows tied to the water rights will remain in the Colorado River for environmental benefits. Supporters lauded the approval — which followed a…
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