Colorado Water Congress

Colorado Water Congress The Leading Voice of Colorado's Water Community. It will provide, to the greatest extent possible, information for the membership.

Mission: The mission of the Colorado Water Congress is to initiate and advance programs for the conservation, development, administration, and protection of the water resources of the State of Colorado. Purpose: The Colorado Water Congress ("CWC") will provide its membership with a forum for the discussion of water matters and to the end that, where possible, conflicts among water users may be res

olved through the medium of mutual discussion of the facts and proposed solutions. Through the development of facts, dissemination of information and resolution of apparent conflicts, the CWC will make its influence felt to the greatest extent possible in each area of public authority over water matters. In furtherance of these objectives, the CWC may cooperate with and support organization working for the same general objectives. Core Beliefs and Values: We believe the state of Colorado's water shapes the future of the State. We provide an open forum to share information, form positions, and advocate for a strong, effective, and fair State water program. The Colorado Water Congress is dedicated to:

- Successful promotion of policy that supports high-quality sustainable water supplies through protection of water rights, conservation, planning, management and infrastructure investment.
- Thoughtful and equitable development and administration of water laws, regulations, and compacts within the framework of Article XVI of the Colorado Constitution.
- Fair representation of every watershed in Colorado and every type of beneficial water use.
- Clear communication of relevant, accurate, and timely information. Active engagement of our members through education, collaboration, and networking.

🎉 Good news in the developing Shoshone Power Plant Water Rights deal 🎉After nearly 18 months of discussion and advocacy,...
05/28/2026

🎉 Good news in the developing Shoshone Power Plant Water Rights deal 🎉

After nearly 18 months of discussion and advocacy, the federal government has released the promised $40 million grant to the Colorado River Water Conservation District to help them purchase for the $99 mil water rights at the Shoshone Power Plant.

The deal marks one of the largest of its kind in Colorado's history, and one of the most consequential. Releasing the funds is a crucial step towards securing the rights, and will have a major impact on water across the state.

Read more details about this new milestone in the Colorado Sun:

In a win for western Colorado, the Trump administration released $40 million for the purchase of powerful Colorado River water rights.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Colorado Water Congress. We've had the privilege of working with many members of the armed forces through our water advocacy efforts, and today we honor the sacrifice of those we never got to meet. 🇺🇲

Boating, paddle-boarding, canoeing, and kayaking offer some of the best outdoor recreation you can get in a Colorado sum...
05/22/2026

Boating, paddle-boarding, canoeing, and kayaking offer some of the best outdoor recreation you can get in a Colorado summer! But they come with a pesky problem - Aquatic Nuisance Species.

ANS are non-native plants and animals that spread quickly and disrupt local ecosystems. Zebra mussels (pictured), New Zealand mudsnails, and Eurasian watermilfoil are particularly pernicious in the west. These species spread easily by attaching to watercraft, which then spread to other water sources by the oblivious owners of the equipment.

Before you take your watercraft or fishing gear into the water, make sure it's all totally clean and any compartments that may collect standing water are drained and dry. This includes waders, oars, and life jackets. Make sure to keep away from storm drains and other bodies of water while cleaning to contain any infested runoff.

If you find any zebra mussels or other invasive species on your gear, take these steps to destroy them:
- remove all visible evidence of invasive species and throw them away (NOT back into the water)
- spray all potentially contaminated gear (even shoes) with water at least 140 degrees F for at least 10 minutes
- allow your gear to dry completely before using again

Lakes and reservoirs around the west are starting to install decontamination tanks to help with the problem. If you're unsure, your friendly neighborhood rangers at Colorado Parks and Wildlife are always willing to help with identification and strategy!

To cap off our board retreat on the Western Slope, we got an inside tour of one of the most iconic scenes on the Colorad...
05/21/2026

To cap off our board retreat on the Western Slope, we got an inside tour of one of the most iconic scenes on the Colorado River: the Historic Roller Dam in De Beque Canyon! We're so grateful the folks at the Grand Valley Water Users' Association let us take an up-close look.

Built in 1913, the dam is not meant to block the water and create a reservoir, but rather to divert it to the different towns nearby while maintaining instream flow for wildlife. The dam sees enormous amounts of water per day - the current MINIMUM flow rate is 400 CFS.

The entire site is a national historic site, thanks to the various entities involved over the years! The dam-tender's house and out buildings (made with river rock walls) were built in the 30s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, making for a totally unique architectural look.

Finally, the dam has some newfangled additions with the fish screen and the fish trap. The trap allows scientists to hold up fish for tagging and study without seriously disrupting the ecosystem, while the fish screen lets fish through while cleaning the river water around them.

This iconic operation is the centerpiece of water in the Grand Mesa region and beyond, and we were honored to be able to get an inside look at its operations!

Photo 1: The board posing atop the dam
Photo 2: The dam-tender's house with a river rock wall
Photo 3: Neal Santangelo (VP Elect), Dave Payne (VP), Christine Arbogast (President), and Travis Smith (immediate Past President)
Photo 4: Tina Bergonzini explaining the fish trap on the dam to our group
Photo 5: A partial view of the fish trap
Photo 6: A partial view of the fish screen
Photo 7: The span of the historic dam

In addition to hosting our 2026 Board Retreat, Ute Water Conservancy District also provided us with an inside look at th...
05/20/2026

In addition to hosting our 2026 Board Retreat, Ute Water Conservancy District also provided us with an inside look at their facilities!

All of the water that Ute processes at its treatment facility comes from the Grand Mesa (primarily originating as snowpack). Water quality is necessary for the health and safety of a community, and our partners at Ute have been ensuring the availability of clean water for residents of the western slope for 70 years.

Photo 1: Our group on tour in one of the treatment rooms
Photo 2: Don West (CWC Member Relations and licensed PE) taking a peek at Ute's documentation

We had a blast checking out some of the fascinating ways our members on the Western Slope operate at our board retreat l...
05/19/2026

We had a blast checking out some of the fascinating ways our members on the Western Slope operate at our board retreat last week!

First, we toured the Vinelands Power Plant co-owned by the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District and the Grand Valley Water Users Association. This amazing system operates out of historical buildings constructed in 1910 and in the 1930s. In fact, it is one of only two plants in the US that still uses its original antique crane!

Despite its historical facade, the plant generates at least 2x as much hydroeletric energy as it did when it was constructed, and is a vital part of an important initiative to make Holy Cross Energy carbon-free by 2030.

Thanks to Jackie Fisher for leading this fascinating tour for our board!

Photo 1: Jackie introducing our group to the facility
Photo 2: A closer shot of one of the 1930s buildings
Photo 3: The original 1910 crane
Photo 4: Jackie explaining the water source for the power plant
Photo 5: A cow elk that takes occupational safety very seriously

Summer 2026 Conference Registration Is Open!!!We can't wait to have you with us in Steamboat Springs! In addition to inv...
05/18/2026

Summer 2026 Conference Registration Is Open!!!

We can't wait to have you with us in Steamboat Springs! In addition to invaluable content, this event offers the opportunity to meet with other water professionals in a fun, relaxed setting.

Topics on the docket for 2026 include:
☀️Data Centers
☀️Colorado River Negotiations
☀️The Rye Resurgence Project
☀️Aspinall Award Presentation

Register here:

Join the Colorado Water Congress at our Summer Conference Stay informed about water issues and engage in unique networking opportunities.

Welcome to our newest board member: Sean Cronin!Sean is the Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Con...
05/13/2026

Welcome to our newest board member: Sean Cronin!

Sean is the Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. He has over 30 years of experience in water resource planning and policy.

Under Sean’s direction his District received a Collaboration Award from the Special District Association, and in 2020, and again in 2024 rallied the community around a $5 million dollar tax increase for improved water resource management. Sean also serves on the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC), is a non-voting member of the South Platte Basin Roundtable.

Sean lives in his adopted home of Colorado with his wife and two children. When Sean isn’t spending time with family and other activities, you can find him on a river trying to master the art of making a trout rise.

Address

1580 Logan Street
Denver, CO
80203

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+13038370812

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