Shoshone Water Rights Debate Enters Next Phase: Your Voice Still Matters
Photo courtesy of Colorado River District
In July, Colorado Trout Unlimited asked supporters to speak up for the Colorado River and encourage the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to secure the Shoshone Power Plant’s historic water rights for river health. That outreach helped elevate the conversation, and now the proposal has moved into a new phase.
This month in Durango, nearly 100 water managers, board members, and advocates gathered to examine how Shoshone’s rights might be expanded to serve not only energy production, but also the river itself. The CWCB had been scheduled to make its final decision during the September hearing, but instead extended its deadline until November to give members more time to weigh the details.
Why Shoshone Matters
For more than a century, Shoshone has drawn from the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs to generate electricity. In the process, those flows became vital to people, wildlife, farms, and recreation throughout the Western Slope. When the river runs low, Shoshone’s senior rights often keep water moving through Glenwood Canyon and beyond.
The Colorado River District, representing 15 Western Slope counties, has proposed purchasing the rights from Xcel Energy for about $99 million. Their plan is to add an environmental use, protecting river flows even if the power plant eventually stops operating. This approach could provide long-term certainty for fish, wildlife, and communities that rely on a healthy, flowing river.
Balancing Perspectives
The hearing highlighted both support and concern. Western Slope leaders emphasized how dependable flows benefit agriculture, recreation, and native species. Front Range utilities raised questions about how changes could affect their ability to serve growing cities.
At the center is the question of governance. State law typically gives the CWCB authority over environmental water rights, but the River District has asked to share in that responsibility. While the details are complex, the bigger picture is clear: Colorado’s water future depends on cooperation between regions, and Shoshone offers a rare opportunity to build that partnership.
What Comes Next
The CWCB now has until November to make its decision, but the conversation is not finished. Public input is still welcome, and your voice continues to matter. By submitting comments, you can help ensure that Shoshone’s legacy serves both people and the river for generations to come.
Together, we can show that Colorado is ready to embrace solutions that keep water in our rivers, support healthy ecosystems, and provide for thriving communities across the state.
