Department of Interior releases $40 million award for the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 22, 2026
CONTACT:
Lindsay DeFrates – 970.456.8973; ldefrates@crwcd.org
Glenwood Springs, Colorado — On Friday, May 22, Congressman Jeff Hurd announced the release of a $40 million award to the Colorado River District for the purchase and permanent protection of the Shoshone Water Rights. The final approval of $40 million award brings the total amount of funding secured to $97 million of the $99 million needed for the purchase. The process now moves into the contracting phase during which the River District will work with the Bureau of Reclamation to finalize the terms of the award.
Colorado River District General Manager Andy Mueller offered the following remarks regarding the broad, bi-partisan support of this project from our federal, state and local representatives:
“This award is a major breakthrough in our coalition’s effort to permanently secure historic flows on the Colorado River. This funding would not have been possible without the leadership of Representative Jeff Hurd. His unwavering advocacy within the Administration helped secure this once-in-a-generation investment in a project that is vital to the prosperity of rural communities, farmers and ranchers on the Western Slope.
Senator Michael Bennet demonstrated valuable foresight appropriating Inflation Reduction Act funding to address the growing water challenges facing the Colorado River Basin. His leadership helped deliver this historic investment in long-term water security and protect our state’s namesake river for generations to come.
As founders of the Colorado River Caucuses in both the Senate and House, Senator Hickenlooper and Representative Neguse fought for these dollars by developing and strengthening coalitions across divides – both geographical and political. By advocating for the Shoshone Water Rights Project in Colorado and Washington, they helped deliver a durable and permanent solution for the entire Colorado River system.
Finally, none of this would have been possible without the dedicated support of our broad-based, local coalition. Across the western slope, counties and cities, ditch companies and conservation leaders have led the way in demonstrating how uniting diverse voices around a common cause can create a powerful force for change. We are grateful for their trust and support and are proud to represent them.”
In 2023, the Colorado River District entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Public Service Company of Colorado (a subsidiary of Xcel Energy) to buy the water rights associated with the Shoshone Hydropower Plant for $99 million. The agreement contained several contingencies, one of which was the successful fundraising of the total purchase price which is now nearing completion. Another key contingency – the acceptance of the water rights into Colorado’s instream flow program – was completed in November 2025 with unanimous approval from the state’s water board. The River District recently filed in Colorado’s water court for a change of water rights which will allow for the Shoshone Water Rights to be used for both hydropower production and instream flow purposes.
The Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Coalition includes over 100 water providers, local governments and regional entities, along with the State of Colorado and a bi-partisan group of elected officials. Learn more at www.keepshoshoneflowing.org
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