Commissioners approve MOU to accept CWCB Colorado Water Plan grant for Jones Ponds feasibility study

Kent Whitmer, representing Middle Park Water Conservancy District, outlined a plan to use CWCB Colorado Water Plan grant funds to pay for an engineering feasibility study that would evaluate formalizing and improving two ponds on private land near Tabernash (the Jones Ponds) as storage for a portion of Middle Park’s conditional Fraser Valley storage right (approximately 171 acre‑feet of conditional right held by Middle Park).

Whitmer said the ponds were originally created by gravel extraction and currently function as unadjudicated flow‑through ponds; the engineering study will evaluate lining requirements, inlet/outlet structures, and the feasibility of deepening or enlarging the ponds to increase storage. He told commissioners the CWCB awarded grant funds of roughly $176,000 to the district for the study but that because Middle Park is not debruised the CWCB funds would be received by the county and disbursed under an MOU that mirrors an earlier escrow arrangement used for Colorado River Cooperative Agreement funds.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about projected storage (Whitmer estimated lining and in‑footprint improvements might yield roughly 40–50 acre‑feet in the existing ponds) and about county fees (a treasurer’s fee of 1% is provided for in the draft MOU). After discussion a commissioner moved to approve the MOU for receipt and distribution of the CWCB Colorado Water Plan Grant for the Jones Ponds Project in Grand County and authorized the chair to sign; the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote.

The MOU authorizes the county to act as the escrow/fiscal agent, requires verification of invoices by Middle Park before disbursement, and includes an escape clause allowing the county to withdraw within 30 days. Whitmer said Middle Park intends to pursue debruising (TABOR relief) in future election cycles to avoid similar arrangements in the future.