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Colorado advances Shoshone water rights for river protection
ColoradoBiz Staff //November 20, 2025//
Photo courtesy of Mesa County.
Photo courtesy of Mesa County.
Colorado advances Shoshone water rights for river protection
ColoradoBiz Staff //November 20, 2025//
The Colorado Water Conservation Board has approved the long-planned acquisition of the Shoshone water rights, a move that state officials say will provide permanent instream flow protection for a key stretch of the Colorado River.
In Brief:
- CWCB approves acquisition of Shoshone water rights
- Move provides permanent instream flow protection on the Colorado River
- Next step is filing a water court application for the change of use
- Project backed by $20 million in state funding and local partnerships
The board voted Tuesday night in Golden to advance the agreement, which covers two water rights tied to the historic Shoshone Power Plant. The decision begins the next phase of the process, including water court proceedings, and sets the stage for preserving and improving a 2.4-mile reach of the river between the plant’s diversion dam and discharge outlets.
CWCB Director Lauren Ris said securing one of the state’s most important Colorado River water rights for instream flow use is a significant accomplishment that follows years of technical analysis, stakeholder engagement and regulatory review.
The vote was unanimous, with two board members recused. It followed the Colorado River District extending the review period from September to November to allow more time to address contested issues and pursue negotiated resolutions.
Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Dan Gibbs praised the collaboration behind the decision and said the state intends to maintain historical water use while working through the water court to resolve concerns raised by stakeholders.
Over recent months, CWCB officials and the Colorado River District have met with Front Range interests and other parties seeking agreement on the proposed change. The next step is filing a water court application to approve the change of use without harming existing decreed water rights.
The milestone follows significant commitments from the CWCB, the Colorado River District and local partners, including a $20 million state contribution through the Projects Bill to help secure the long-term future of the Shoshone water rights.
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