Over two days of hearings, Colorado water managers laid out their arguments related to one of the most powerful water rights on the Colorado River and who should have the authority to control it. The Colorado River Water Conservation District plans to buy the water rights associated with the Shoshone hydropower plant in Glenwood Canyon from Xcel Energy and use the water for environmental purposes. To do so, it must secure the support of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The CWCB is the only entity allowed to own instream-flow water rights. …  The board is now scheduled to decide at its regular meeting in November.

Other Colorado River news:

• Vail Daily (Colo.): Negotiations to continue beyond 14-hour hearing over one of the Colorado River’s oldest water rights
• The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah): Colorado River on track to reach dangerous low point
• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Opinion: Our key water source is in peril