In a major win for the Western Slope, the Trump administration released $40 million in funding for the purchase of powerful historic water rights on the Colorado River tied to the Shoshone Power Plant. The Colorado River Water Conservation District, which spans 15 counties in western Colorado, has been leading the charge since 2023 to purchase the water rights from the hydropower facility’s owner, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, for $99 million. In early 2025, it seemed like they’d soon be ready to write the check when the federal government granted $40 million toward the purchase during former President Joe Biden’s final hours in office. Days later, the Trump administration froze the funding. … The release of the funds a year and a half later marks a significant step forward in the water rights acquisition, which will still take years to complete. 

Related articles:

• Sky-Hi News (Granby, Colo.): Trump administration releases $40 million for Colorado River District’s purchase of the historic Shoshone water rights
• The Denver Post (Colo.): Trump administration releases critical federal money for major Colorado River water rights purchase