In an effort to head off concerns about the state’s role in a major Western Slope water deal, a Western Slope water district has offered up a compromise proposal to Front Range water providers. In order to defuse what Colorado River Water Conservation District General Manager Andy Mueller called “an ugly contested hearing before the CWCB,” the River District is proposing that the state water board take a neutral position on the exact amount of water tied to the Shoshone hydropower plant water rights and let a water court determine a final number. … The River District, which represents 15 counties on the Western Slope, is planning to purchase some of the oldest and largest non-consumptive water rights on the Colorado River from Xcel Energy for nearly $100 million. … As part of the deal, the River District is seeking to add an instream flow water right to benefit the environment to the hydropower water rights.

Other Colorado River Basin news:

• KJZZ (Phoenix, Ariz.): ‘Glimmer of hope’ in Colorado River negotiations is now gone, researcher says
• The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah): Lake Powell is lower than last July. This boat ramp may be only the first to close.
• The Denver Gazette (Colo.): Protecting the Yampa: Unique fund in northwest Colorado celebrates 5 years in service to the river
• Steamboat Pilot (Colo.): Yampa River Basin now ‘on call’ for senior water rights
• The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.): Opinion: What we do to our water matters — to all of us