Se Colorado News

U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert announced the passage of her Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act through the House of Representatives. The bill is part of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

Boebert expressed satisfaction with the bill's progress, stating, "I am thrilled that my fish recovery bill passed the House and will soon be signed into law." She emphasized the importance of protecting four threatened and endangered fish species in Colorado while maintaining operations for power and water users. The legislation aims to provide stability for these projects over the next seven years.

The act reauthorizes programs established in 1988 to recover endangered fish species such as the humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. These programs have been crucial in preventing significant restrictions on water and power use.

Water delivery from reservoirs like Navajo, Flaming Gorge, and Aspinall Unit is facilitated by these recovery programs. Non-federal partners contribute $11 million annually in water contributions along with additional staffing support. Participating states also contribute financially to recovery actions.

The Fish and Wildlife Service allocates $1.56 million per year in base funding, while the Bureau of Reclamation provides cost-shared contributions for infrastructure projects across the basin.

Due to these efforts, both the humpback chub and razorback sucker have seen improvements in their conservation status. Boebert's legislation results from collaboration with local stakeholders, including Senators John Hickenlooper and Mitt Romney.

Various groups have supported Boebert’s act, including Aurora Water, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Clifton Water District, Colorado River District, Colorado Springs Utilities, Denver Water among others.