A bipartisan group of state lawmakers Tuesday urged Colorado’s two U.S. senators to support federal funding that will help the Colorado River Conservation District and its partners achieve their goal of buying the state’s largest and most senior non-consumptive water right. The project, which dates back to 1902 and is named for the Xcel power plant just east of Glenwood Springs, is known as the Shoshone water right. The Colorado River flows through the turbines at the Shoshone power plant. Tuesday’s letter from the General Assembly was signed by 16 lawmakers, which includes every legislator, Republican or Democrat, who represents the Western Slope, as well as members from the rest of the state who sit on the House and Senate agriculture committees.

Other Colorado River articles:

• The Colorado Sun: Colorado’s water users are told “use it or lose it.” But is the threat real?
• The Colorado Sun: Cities in the West are booming. But will they actually need a lot more water?
• KUNC: Listen: Colorado cities are growing in population while shrinking their water use. Here’s how they make it work
• City Sun Times: Opinion: Water planning: A move for a sustainable future
• KUNC: Invasive mussels continue to spread in Mountain West