Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting lasted less than an hour. Former commission chair John Martin made a surprise cameo appearance during the morning public comment period, urging the BOCC to seal the Shoshone water right deal.
“Today I’m going to let you know that you’re on the threshold of greatness — all three of you,” he announced. “You have a golden opportunity to close a chapter on something that’s been going on for at least 12 years. That happens to be the Shoshone Power water diversion.”
He praised their efforts so far against the “Eastern Front” that, he said, wants to “control the Colorado River.” He told the BOCC, “Dig deep. Don’t wait for any more partners because if you wait too long, Denver is going to step in, and that’s what scares me.” He advised his former colleagues to work with Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD), who, at that exact moment, walked into the meeting and sat down next to Martin. “I happened to run into former commissioner Martin at the grocery store checkout line,” he said, looking at Martin. “And here you are.”
Mueller reiterated Martin’s plea. “I do think that it is an amazing moment in history that we’re $1.7 million short,” he said. “You know, our representative [Jeff] Hurd and a number of other key constituents really pulled off a tremendous victory last week with the administration and getting that further commitment for the $40 million. So we’re within striking distance. And, if it is possible for the county to step up, we would greatly appreciate that.”
The $40 million was awarded to the CRWCD in late 2023 but the Trump Administration froze the funding. Colorado’s congressional contingent has been pushing the feds to release the money. On May 22, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation did just that.
Now, the goal is $1.7 million away and Martin and Mueller want Garfield County to finish the race. “We wouldn’t guarantee that $1.7 [million], but would like to see the other big contributors participate as well,” Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky said. “But, we will get you over the top.”
Commissioner Mike Samson said there is no way the BOCC would let this opportunity slip by. “If it takes another $1.7 million, we will do it,” he offered. “It would be nice to see other people step up, but I don’t want that to be the Denver people. I want it to be the Western Slope people to step up.”
“Well, if you wait too long, you may have some partners, but you may not have partners. Don’t let it slide by,” Martin warned. “And if you do it now, you can always take those new partners in after the deal, and at that point, you’ve got it sewed up.” Martin added that the Western Slope is waiting for Garfield County’s leadership.
Commissioner Perry Will said he was “good with fronting the money” until other partners stepped up. “I definitely wouldn’t want something to happen to Shoshone over $1.7 million, trust me,” he said.
Garfield County committed $3 million toward the purchase in June 2024. At the same time, Western Slope water entities and local governments had contributed over $14 million, including the City of Glenwood Springs ($2 million), Eagle County ($2 million) and the Ute Water Conservancy District ($2 million), according to the county. The Colorado Water Conservation Board Project Bill (HB24-1435) appropriated $20 million and the CRWCD’s Community Funding Partnership has raised another $20 million.
On Monday, Mueller said he is going to push potential partners. “I just need to keep running into John at the grocery store,” he added.
“And we’ll each have a can in our hands,” Martin replied.
Jankovsky said a final decision would need to be on the agenda.
Primary election looms
“We are 30 days away from the [primary] election,” Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jackie Harmon said on Monday. She added that her office will mail a little over 38,000 ballots on June 9 with a projected return of about 70%. Each of the six municipalities in the county will have a ballot drop box plus one outside the courthouse in Glenwood Springs. Ballots returned by mail need one stamp and must be mailed by June 22. “Postmarks do not count,” she said. “And if you happen to be across the state, you can drop them at any other facility, and they’ll get them over to us.” Voters who have not received a ballot by June 19 are encouraged to visit www.coloradosos.gov/voter
All election information is at the Garfield County website on the clerk and recorder’s page. You can also watch all BOCC meetings at the county website.