Vail, Colorado — On May 23, during their respective meetings, the boards of the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority supported a joint contribution of $1 million towards the Colorado River District’s purchase of the Shoshone water rights. Combined, these two entities are the second largest water provider on the Western Slope, operating the public water system that serves East Vail through Edwards in the Eagle River Valley.

“In 2012, both our organizations, along with Eagle County and Eagle Park Reservoir Company, were the first among 17 West Slope signatories to sign the historic Colorado River Cooperative Agreement, which is foundational to Shoshone permanency,” said UERWA Board Chair George Gregory. “We’re thrilled with the progress of this long-term project.”

“This is a permanent investment in the health of our rivers,” said ERWSD Board Chair Dick Cleveland. “Continuing the historic flow regime associated with the Shoshone water rights ensures that our community’s rivers keep flowing and can provide us with water for recreational, environmental, and domestic uses.”