HomeMy WebLinkAboutC24-197 Shoshone Commitment Letter_BOCCBoard of County Commissioners
970-328-8605
970-328-8629(f)
eagleadmin@eaglecounty.us
www.eaglecounty.us
April 23,2024
Via electronic mail
Andrew Mueller,General Manager
Colorado River Water Conservation District
201 Centennial St.,Suite 200
Glenwood Springs,CO 81601
RE:Financial Commitment for the Shoshone Water Right Preservation Effort
Dear Mr.Mueller:
We are pleased to inform you that on April 23,2024,the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners
formally acted to express its intent to commit $2,000,000 (two million dollars)for the acquisition and
permanent protection of the Shoshone Water Rights.This funding signifies our desire to permanently
protect the historic,non-consumptive Shoshone water rights on the upper Colorado River for future
generations,an outcome long sought by over 20 Western Slope water entities and local governments.
The Shoshone water rights are critical not just to Eagle County’s agricultural and recreation economies,
but are of primary importance for the entire western slope and the State of Colorado.Permanent
protection of the Shoshone flows will secure multiple benefits such as:
●Maintaining Colorado’s $14.6 billion recreation economy and $11.9 billion agricultural economy
●Improving water quality for agriculture and domestic use (drinking water)
●Protecting critical ecosystems along the Colorado River,for fish,wildlife,plants and animals,and
scenic beauty
●Ensuring Colorado’s compliance with the Endangered Species Act through a successful Upper
Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and healthy 15-Mile Reach
●Maintaining stream flow through the Upper Colorado River Wild &Scenic Alternative
Management Plan river sections
●Promoting river health in the face of climate change (warmer temperatures and decreasing
snowpack)and increasing demands from growing populations
500 Broadway,P.O.Box 850,Eagle,Colorado 81631
DocuSign Envelope ID: C39180AB-F68C-4B2A-98EF-E6160C368FF8
Board of County Commissioners
970-328-8605
970-328-8629(f)
eagleadmin@eaglecounty.us
www.eaglecounty.us
During the last 23 years of severe drought,the benefit of the Shoshone call to the flow of the river has
become even more evident and important.If the power plant were to cease operation without
permanent protection of the water right,the negative economic and environmental impacts to
Western Colorado and to the State of Colorado would be immediate and profound.Quite simply,
retaining the Shoshone’s senior water rights on the western slope protects our future.
Eagle County Commissioners,on behalf of our County’s residents,strongly support the Colorado River
Water Conservation District ’s efforts to complete the conditions necessary to execute the purchase and
sale of the Shoshone Water Rights to the west slope entities.
Sincerely,
Matt Scherr Jeanne McQueeney Kathy Chandler-Henry
Chair Commissioner Commissioner
500 Broadway,P.O.Box 850,Eagle,Colorado 81631
DocuSign Envelope ID: C39180AB-F68C-4B2A-98EF-E6160C368FF8
