Several Colorado lawmakers in Congress have expressed support for the Colorado River District’s efforts to purchase the Shoshone water rights on the Colorado River.  On Monday, Oct. 7, six members of the state’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, demonstrating support for the district’s forthcoming application for funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. The district anticipates seeking $40 million toward the total $99 million required to acquire the water rights. … The Shoshone Power Plant in Glenwood Canyon has the oldest and largest non-consumptive water rights on the Colorado River. The rights account for 1 million acre-feet of water a year flowing through the upper reaches of the Colorado River, down through Glenwood Canyon and out to the state line. For many decades, the Colorado River District has worked to preserve these rights and flows. In December, it struck a deal with Xcel Energy to purchase the rights for $98.5 million. It has four years to secure the funding and pay for the rights under the current agreement.