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Pitkin County commissioners approve $1 million for Shoshone permanency project
Summary
Pitkin County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution supporting the Colorado River District’s Shoshone permanency project and authorized a $1,000,000 contribution from the county’s Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund, following presentations from River District staff and the county’s Healthy Rivers board.
Pitkin County commissioners on April 23 approved a resolution backing the Colorado River District’s Shoshone permanency project and authorized a $1,000,000 contribution from the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund. The board's vote followed presentations from Colorado River District staff, the county attorney’s office, and the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board, which recommended the allocation.
The Shoshone permanency project would change operations tied to water rights at the Shoshone hydroelectric facility to provide more “wet water” on the West Slope, a goal River District staff described as supporting irrigation, stream flows and regional water-balance objectives. Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District, and Peter Fleming, the River District’s general counsel, spoke to the board about the project and the district’s coalition of partners. "We really appreciate the partnership that this resolution and potential contribution to the Shoshone permanency effort represents," Mueller said during the presentation.
County staff described the legal and fiscal framework for the contribution: the $1,000,000 would come from the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund, a voter-approved fund. County attorney Ryan Neely told commissioners the county’s use of the fund for the project “falls squarely within the objectives” set when voters approved the fund in 2008. Lisa McDonald and Lisa Tasker of the county’s Healthy Rivers Board said the volunteer board unanimously recommended the $1,000,000 allocation.
Commissioners and River District staff also discussed protections for the Upper Roaring Fork and associated tributaries. Ryan Neely said the county and River District reached an agreement to participate in Water Court and related filings that the board was told are intended to protect local stream health while advancing the permanency project. Peter Fleming noted the legal process could include interaction with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and possible water-court proceedings.
The board approved the measure by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Greg (motion recorded in the meeting minutes) and a second from Commissioner Francie. The resolution’s final language will be updated to correct minor typographical items the River District and county counsel identified in the draft.
Why it matters: County staff and River District leaders framed the project as a regional, multi‑partner effort to retain more water on the West Slope and reduce pressure to dry up irrigated agriculture. County officials said the allocation is intended both to support the immediate Shoshone effort and to strengthen the county’s working relationship with the River District for future water-protection projects.
What's next: County staff will finalize the resolution language and execute the necessary agreements to allow the county’s financial participation. River District staff said further state and water-court processes remain ahead if the project advances.
