Shoshone Water Rights Preservation

For over a century, the Shoshone Hydroelectric Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon has commanded river flows through two of the oldest and largest non-consumptive water rights on the Upper Colorado River. The Shoshone water rights maintain vital flows that preserve the health of our namesake river, benefiting agriculture, recreation, drinking water, and rural communities that depend on a clean, reliable water supply. In December 2023, the Colorado River District signed an agreement with Xcel Energy subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) to acquire and permanently protect the Shoshone Water Rights for $99 million.