By Andrea Teres-Martinez

Glenwood Springs City Council voted unanimously to approve $2 million in funding to the Colorado River District as a contribution toward their efforts to purchase the Shoshone water rights during their Thursday regular meeting.

The Colorado River District signed a purchase and sale agreement with Xcel Energy last December to secure the Shoshone water rights (and in doing so was representing multiple West Slope water entities and local governments) for $99 million.

These senior water rights, currently used for hydroelectric power production at the Shoshone Power Plant, are essential for maintaining the flows of the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, according to the Colorado River District.