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Hot Sulphur Springs and local proponents pitch whitewater park plan; commissioners raise water-rights and feasibility questions
Summary
Presenters from Hot Sulphur Springs and community volunteers proposed completing two decreed RICD structures and a Buyers Canyon whitewater and recreational-access concept. County staff and commissioners urged further legal review of water-rights benefits, permitting complexity and funding before committing county staff time.
Brett Macalady and Dan Nolan presented a concept to complete two RICD (recreational in-channel diversion) structures for Hot Sulphur Springs and to explore a Buyers Canyon whitewater-access and recreation plan. Macalady described recreational, ecological and economic benefits and said Grand County already holds a conditional/absolute water right connected to two structures ("Glory Hole" and "Hot Pocket") tied to a 2010 application and conditional absolute status in 2020. He also cited potential funding streams including GOCO, River District and a large federal Upper Colorado watershed grant.
County water staff and commissioners cautioned that constructing new RICD structures or changing locations could trigger substantial permitting, Corps and CPW review and could require careful legal attention; staff noted it took extensive negotiation to secure the existing pump-house decree and that any amendments would be complicated. Commissioners asked whether new construction would add measurable water-rights benefits and emphasized the need to consult the county water attorney and Middle Park Water on any diligence or rights questions. Presenters and staff agreed to follow up with technical and legal reviews and to explore grant or third-party project champions rather than ask county staff to lead the entire effort.
