Funding released for Shoshone water rights in western Colorado

The Trump Administration has released $40 million to support the purchase of some of the oldest water rights on the Colorado River.

The Colorado River District will use those funds to buy water rights to the Shoshone Hydroelectric Power Plant from Xcel Energy.

State Sen. Marc Catlin, who represents Colorado's 5th District, said the funding constitutes "a major milestone in the effort to permanently protect historic Colorado River flows and strengthen long-term water security across the Western Slope and the West."

The plant is located along I-70 east of Glenwood Springs. It has some of the oldest water rights in the country, so it receives its allotted water even during a shortage.

The Colorado General Assembly celebrated the bipartisan push to secure funding and protect the Western Slope's water security. They say the purchase will help support Colorado farms, ranches, local economies and outdoor recreation in the region.

Rep. Jeff Hurd said, "The funding represents the federal share of the Shoshone water rights preservation effort, a years-long priority supported by agricultural producers, irrigation districts, municipalities, conservation organizations, and local communities across Western Colorado."

Catlin says the Colorado River District has raised $97 million of the $99 million needed to purchase the project. Xcel will still own and operate the plant.