Se Colorado News

The House of Representatives has passed Congresswoman Lauren Boebert's bill H.R. 4596, known as the "Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act." The legislation aims to extend the recovery programs for four endangered fish species in these river basins for an additional seven fiscal years.

"Passage of my bill to reauthorize the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin Recovery Programs is a major win for Colorado and the West," said Congresswoman Boebert. "These important programs, which will be extended for an additional seven fiscal years, will ensure that 2,500 water and power projects continue, and provide legal certainty for water and power users throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming."

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman also expressed support: "Congresswoman Boebert is a true fighter for Colorado’s rich biodiversity, and her bill to reauthorize the endangered fish recovery programs in the San Juan and Upper Colorado River Basins will ensure these species are healthy for future generations to enjoy. I’m so glad to see this commonsense, science-based legislation pass the House today, and look forward to seeing it signed into law."

Established in 1988, the Upper Colorado and San Juan Recovery Programs aim to achieve full recovery of four federally listed endangered fish species: the humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. The programs have facilitated water delivery from reservoirs such as Navajo, Flaming Gorge, and Aspinall Unit reservoirs.

Non-federal partners contribute $11 million per year in water contributions plus another $750,000 in staffing and in-kind contributions. Participating states add $500,000 annually in cash equivalents for recovery actions like fish hatcheries and non-native fish removal. The Fish and Wildlife Service contributes $1.56 million per year in base funding while the Bureau of Reclamation provides cost-shared contributions to both base and capital funding.

Rep. Boebert’s bill was developed with input from local stakeholders including Senators Hickenlooper and Romney. Groups supporting the legislation include Aurora Water, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Clifton Water District among others.

Co-sponsors of Rep. Boebert’s bill include Rep. John Duarte (CA-13), Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Rep. Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22), and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04).