During the call to the public, several representatives from the group Ceasefire Now RFV came to the podium to address Town Council. The group is advocating for a permanent ceasefire in the current conflict in Gaza. On Feb. 15, Glenwood Springs became the first municipality in Colorado to approve a resolution calling for a ceasefire, and Ceasefire Now RFV urged the Basalt Town Council to do the same in recognition of Basalt’s connection to the greater global community and to express to the federal government the community’s condemnation of civilian deaths. At the moment, the group is also circulating a petition urging the Town of Basalt to adopt a resolution. Those interested in becoming a part of that cause can join an email list at www.ceasefirenowrfv.substack.com
Town Manager Ryan Mahoney in his report congratulated the team for a successful — if not chilly — opening weekend at the Basalt pool. In years past, the pool has been warmed by a large gas boiler. This year, however, the pool’s ground source heat pumps are now fully operational, and the water will be kept warm and comfortable with a lower carbon footprint than ever before.
Shoshone water rights purchase
Last December, the Colorado River Water Conservation District made a deal with Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy to purchase the Shoshone Water Rights for $99 million. However, this transaction will not be closed until multiple conditions are met, including securing the funding in full.
According to a funding plan created by the Colorado River District, Basalt will have to contribute $100,000 for this purchase. Lindsay DeFrates, deputy director of public relations at the Colorado River District, gave a presentation to the council outlining how this landmark deal will affect Basalt’s water.
The Shoshone Water Rights are some of the most senior of the state with an appropriation right of 1902 for 1,250 cubic feet of water per second. The right is non-consumptive, and significantly determines the health of over 250 miles of river ecosystem. Currently, Shoshone’s flows are being used for the operation of the Shoshone Power Plant, which serves energy to 15,000 people. Keeping water in the river provides critical habitat to endangered species and supports recreation economies like kayaking, rafting and fishing.
The Town Council asked DeFrates to elaborate on how this water right affects Basalt on a local level, which required an explanation of current water right seniority.
Grand Valley’s Cameo Call is the only downstream senior water right to Shoshone. Since the power plant does not consume water, flows naturally make their way down to Grand Valley where they are generally used for agriculture. Notably for Basalt, when the Cameo Call comes on, the release from Ruedi Reservoir increases.
Should the plant cease operation, its call would go away and the Cameo Call could increase. That means more releases from the reservoir to meet flow targets in the Colorado River and increased augmentation which could negatively affect fishability on the Fryingpan River.
This potential increased draw from Ruedi comes in the wake of climate change reports by the Colorado River District which expect lower snowfall in the coming years, leading to lower stream flows especially later in the summer. Lower flows would not only decrease water in Ruedi, but negatively affect the ecosystem’s ability to combat fires.
Should the Colorado River District purchase the Shoshone rights from Xcel Energy, they would attach to it an in-stream flow right which can only be operated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and would protect the flows in perpetuity, preserving Ruedi’s water and protecting the Fryingpan’s fishing industry.
No action was taken following DeFrates’ presentation, but the Town of Basalt has until September 2026 to decide whether to commit funding or not.
Midland Streetscape
Town Engineer Catherine Christoff and project representative David Wember provided a brief update on Midland’s construction. Currently, surface level improvements to the knuckle of Midland are visible in the form of improved pedestrian walkways. However, the construction team will remain in their current position just outside of Alpine Bank for the next month as they continue to install utilities, so those passing through can expect a traffic light through that section of Midland for the next four weeks.