Local governments, water districts unite to protect Crystal River from new dams

Five Colorado governments, including Gunnison County, and water entities have entered into a landmark intergovernmental agreement to protect the Crystal River from mainstem dams and out-of-basin water diversions. The agreement is the result of a recommendation made by the Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Steering Committee in March 2024 as one of three potential long-term preservation measures. 

The agreement, signed by the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Gunnison County, Pitkin County, Town of Marble, and West Divide Water Conservancy District, formalizes a shared commitment to oppose any new on-channel reservoirs on the mainstem of the Crystal River and any trans-basin diversions that would export water out of the watershed.

The Crystal River, a treasured tributary of the Colorado River, provides vital benefits to local communities, agriculture, fish and wildlife, recreation, and tourism. It is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the West and is still connected to a natural flood regime which supports riparian communities, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation. The Crystal’s ecological, scenic, recreational and historical values are beloved by the local community and continue to be a uniting force among diverse stakeholders up and down the river corridor.

“The River District is proud to have been a partner in this effort,” said Zane Kessler, Director of Government Relations for the Colorado River District and Steering Committee co-chair. “This agreement demonstrates that conservation and protection of working landscapes, local agriculture, recreation, and existing water rights are not mutually exclusive. By working together, the parties were able to develop a balanced framework that serves to protect the Crystal River from transbasin diversions and new mainstem dams while preserving local control and respecting existing water uses.”

“The Crystal River means many things to many people,” said Elizabeth Smith, Gunnison County Commissioner and Steering Committee co-chair. “It supports agriculture and working lands, provides extraordinary recreational opportunities, sustains wildlife habitat, and is vital to the character of the communities connected to it. I’m deeply appreciative of the diligence and collaboration shown by so many partners over many years to develop this agreement and move it forward. Protecting a river as special as the Crystal requires people to stay at the table for hard conversations and thoughtfully consider a wide range of tools that can work together to preserve the river for future generations.”

“This agreement comes after years of cooperation between local governments and stakeholders and it’s a meaningful step for protection of the Crystal River. It shows progress toward stronger protections like Wild and Scenic, which the County continues working on,” said Francie Jacober, Pitkin County Commissioner and Steering Committee Co-chair.

"The Town of Marble is pleased to be participating in the process that will protect the Crystal River into the future," said Ron Leach, Town of Marble Administrator and Steering Committee co-chair. "The more the process, the better the product."

The signatories of the agreement commit to not advocate for or support any new on-channel reservoir or impoundment on the mainstem of the Crystal River and will oppose any water rights application or project that would divert water from the Crystal River basin to another watershed. The agreement also acknowledges the critical role of senior downstream water rights in maintaining streamflows and ensuring that ranching and farming operations remain viable throughout the valley. Central to the agreement is preserving local authority, property rights and existing legal processes.