County officials press congressman to back conveyance of Crystal Reservoir to city

Congressman Hunter met with Ouray County officials to discuss a proposed federal conveyance that would transfer Crystal Reservoir and associated lands from the U.S. Forest Service to the local municipality so the city can repair and refill the reservoir.

The transfer would restore a small but locally important reservoir that county officials said has supplied augmentation water, supported recreation and tied to historic watershed protections through the Red Mountain Project. County elected officials said they want a Congressional conveyance act that ensures continued public access and allows local partners to take responsibility for repairs and operations.

The Red Mountain Project, completed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was described by commissioners as a grassroots effort to acquire private mining claims in the high country and convey those lands into public stewardship while preserving mineral rights. Officials said federal Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars purchased Iron Town Park and the Crystal Reservoir site and that—according to county speakers—the Forest Service later abandoned two‑thirds of the purchased water right in water court in Montrose around 2010. County officials said that decision left the city and downstream water users with an uncertain augmentation supply.

“From a conceptual standpoint, that sounds like a great idea,” Congressman Hunter said when asked about supporting a conveyance measure, adding he would consult with his staff and Colorado delegation colleagues on the details.

County speakers asked the congressman to back a conveyance measure that would make the reservoir available to the city and preserve trailhead access. Officials said the reservoir is relatively small but locally important—county estimates mentioned a full pool of roughly 40 acres and depth of 10–12 feet, with a maximum storage of about 80 acre‑feet—and that repairing it now would be more cost‑effective than pursuing alternative augmentation or land‑exchange solutions. They also said state and federal partners have offered technical help and that an early solution matters amid a forecast of a hot, dry summer and a low snowpack.

County staff and the city manager identified themselves as ready to provide technical and political support, and Hunter said his office would review the information and coordinate with colleagues, including Senator Michael Bennet’s staff, as appropriate.

The meeting included requests for staff follow‑up and technical briefings rather than immediate formal action; no vote or formal directive was taken at the meeting.