Denver Water is increasing the amount of water it diverts from rivers and creeks in Grand County, reducing flows that support local communities and the environment on the Western Slope. The utility, which supplies 1.5 million people, is refilling its reservoirs after a record-hot summer left them far lower than normal. This move is sparking pushback from some western Coloradans who rely on these waterways.
Starting Tuesday, the flow past one gauge on the Fraser River will drop from about 4 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2 cfs, according to Kirk Klancke, president of the Colorado River headwaters chapter of Trout Unlimited. The Fraser River is the sole water supply for the Winter Park Ski Resort. Flows on Vasquez Creek, which provides water for the town of Winter Park, will also decrease from 3 cfs to 2 cfs starting the same day. Ranch Creek, another tributary, saw its flow reduced to 1.5 cfs from 2 cfs on October 2. St. Louis Creek flows are also scheduled to drop from 3 cfs to 2 cfs once agricultural irrigation ends for the season.
Klancke expressed frustration, stating that Front Range residents did not conserve enough water this summer, leaving Western Slope communities to face the consequences. He noted, “Every time you turn a sprinkler on in the Front Range, you’re taking the water level down in a river on the West Slope.”
Denver Water's collection system spans about 4,000 square miles and extends into eight counties, moving water from Western Slope rivers like the Fraser River to Front Range communities through tunnels such as the Moffat and Roberts tunnels. This system has operated for decades as part of Colorado's water management for growing communities and industries, but it also creates drawbacks for communities where the water originates.
The initial plan was to reduce flows on the Fraser River, Vasquez Creek, Ranch Creek, and St. Louis Creek to just 1 cfs. This proposal was not initially presented as negotiable and caused significant concern on the Western Slope, according to Klancke. Local water districts worried that such low flows could cause the ski resort's water supply to freeze solid, severely impacting the local economy. There were also concerns about meeting community water demands and ensuring enough water to dilute treated wastewater to required standards. Klancke highlighted the environmental impact, explaining that 1 cfs flows could make sections of creeks shallow enough to freeze, killing fish eggs and macroinvertebrates, which would harm fisheries for years. He described himself as “pretty saddened by it” and found the initial plan “unreasonable.”
Negotiations followed, according to Nathan Elder, Denver Water’s manager of water supply. Denver Water holds some of the oldest water rights in the area, giving it priority over more junior users under Colorado water law. Its operations are also guided by agreements such as the 1992 Clinton Reservoir-Fraser River Water Agreement and the 2013 Colorado River Cooperative Agreement. Elder noted that Denver Water is barred by these agreements from reducing flows to a level that would force Grand County entities into indoor water use restrictions. Despite not being legally required to relax its planned diversions, Denver Water did so after discussions with Grand County water groups.
Klancke, who has worked with Denver Water on water issues for 30 years, acknowledged that the utility's attitude has shifted toward more collaboration. He expressed understanding for Denver Water's need during drought, stating, “If we have to settle for the minimum we think will keep a river alive, so that they can also get through this drought … I’m pretty good with it.” He called it an example of working together and was “pretty happy that Denver was willing to compromise.”
The water being diverted is intended for storage in Gross and Ralston reservoirs for use next spring, Elder confirmed. As of October 5, Denver Water had about 67% of its normal water storage, significantly below the typical 90% for this time of year. The utility drained Antero Reservoir completely this summer to avoid evaporation, and Dillon Reservoir is at historically low levels. Denver Water implemented mandatory restrictions on March 25 and banned outdoor lawn watering after October 1. Elder described the situation as “epic drought conditions.”
Despite the drought, residents who rely on Denver Water did not do enough to curb their water use during the summer, the period of peak demand for lawns and gardens. Klancke estimated that 70% to 80% of the Fraser River is diverted to the Front Range to support “thirsty Kentucky bluegrass” while Grand County experienced exceptional drought. He argued that if Front Range residents want to enjoy the Western Slope’s environment, “they need to do some compromising because they’re putting their water provider in a very compromising position … for the sake of having bright green lawns.” Klancke gave the “whole Front Range a D-minus in conservation.”
Denver Water aimed for a 20% reduction in water use compared to the five-year average. By mid-summer, residents had only achieved a 2% reduction. By the end of September, reductions reached 10%. Once the outdoor watering ban took effect, reductions increased to 34%. Elder acknowledged “there’s definitely room for improvement” and that the utility is evaluating future strategies, which might include higher costs for outdoor water or quicker implementation of warnings and fines. He emphasized that “climate change is here” and “it’s going to take a community effort to preserve our water supplies going forward.”
