Recently announced awards from the Inflation Reduction Act include multi-million-dollar investments in drought mitigation for rural communities in Western Colorado.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado — Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced $388.3 million in funding awards including $40 million for the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation project. This investment supports efforts of the Colorado River District, the state of Colorado and a coalition of West Slope governments and water users to secure Western Colorado’s top water priority: the permanent protection of the water rights associated with the Shoshone Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon.

These funds, awarded through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Program, known as B2E, are dedicated to projects which will mitigate the impacts of drought and support ecosystems throughout the Colorado River Basin. They were made available to the Department of the Interior thanks to the hard work of Colorado’s federal delegation led by the efforts of Colorado’s senior senator Michael Bennet and build on the more than $56 million raised by state and local organizations.

“Securing the Shoshone water rights has been a priority of West Slope water entities and local governments for over eighty years,” said Colorado River District Board President, Kathy Chandler-Henry. “This funding award is a huge step forward in what is a continuing effort, and we are thankful for the leadership shown by the Bureau of Reclamation in bringing these critical funds to West Slope communities.”

“The Colorado River is a lifeline for the Western Slope and the thousands of Coloradans who call it home. This support for the Shoshone water rights is a huge step towards ensuring that the river will continue flowing to Western Colorado farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses,” said Governor Polis.