Colorado River Water Conservation District
The Colorado River Water Conservation District is a quasi-governmental water conservation district serving 15 Western Colorado counties, managing reservoirs, water rights, and grant programs to protect Colorado River basin resources for agricultural, municipal, recreational, and environmental stakeholders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersGlenwood Springs, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Colorado River Water Conservation District does
The Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRD, dba "Colorado River District") is a quasi-governmental water conservation district established in 1937 under Colorado state law, headquartered in Glenwood Springs. CRD operates across 15 Western Slope counties, holding statutory authority to protect, conserve, use, and develop water resources of the Colorado River basin. Its core asset base includes two district-owned reservoirs — Elkhead Reservoir and Wolford Mountain Reservoir — used for drought mitigation and strategic water releases, plus senior nonconsumptive Shoshone Water Rights (1902, 1929) currently being acquired through a $99 million Purchase and Sale Agreement with Xcel Energy signed in December 2023.
CRD's primary programs include the Community Funding Partnership (CFP), a grant program launched in 2021 that has invested $32 million across 130+ water projects, leveraging an additional $98 million in matching funds; the Yampa River Drought Response Program offering free supplemental agricultural water via lottery allocation; the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project; and demand management and drought contingency planning initiatives. It runs annual State of the River meetings across 11 communities (1,079 attendees in 2025), an Annual Water Seminar at Colorado Mesa University, and quarterly public board meetings.
Revenue is generated primarily through property taxes, supplemented by intergovernmental grants (federal via the Bureau of Reclamation, state via the Colorado Water Conservation Board), the Community Funding Partnership pass-through grants, and water leasing/augmentation fees. Key stakeholders include county governments (Garfield, Summit, Mesa, Eagle, Pitkin and others), municipalities (Glenwood Springs, Breckenridge, Gypsum, New Castle, Parachute, De Beque), agricultural producers, irrigation districts, conservation organizations, and educational institutions. CRD is governed by a Board of Directors and led by General Manager Andy Mueller, with a 2025-2030 Strategic Plan adopted in July 2025.
Colorado River Water Conservation District firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colorado River Water Conservation District
- Legal name
- Colorado River Water Conservation District
- Website
- https://coloradoriverdistrict.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Colorado River Water Conservation District is a quasi-governmental water conservation district serving 15 Western Colorado counties, managing reservoirs, water rights, and grant programs to protect Colorado River basin resources for agricultural, municipal, recreational, and environmental stakeholders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colorado River Water Conservation District industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Resource Management
- NAICS
- Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Disaster Risk Reduction Services (Flood Mitigation, Erosion Control, Landslide Stabilization) (AFAMAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Colorado River Water Conservation District is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glenwood Springs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Colorado River Water Conservation District business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Property Tax Revenue: The district has considered property tax increases to fund protection of West Slope water resources. Property taxes constitute a primary funding mechanism for the district's operations and water protection activities.
- Community Funding Partnership Grants: The district administers a grant program that has invested $32 million since 2021 and leverages additional funding. The CFP provides grants to water projects across Western Colorado supporting agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, and water quality.
- Water Leasing and Augmentation: The district leases water from Elkhead Reservoir to agricultural producers during drought conditions and manages water augmentation programs for West Slope communities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free water allocation for drought-affected agricultural producers |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grant funding for multi-benefit water projects |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels9 records
Colorado River Water Conservation District product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Colorado River Water Conservation District is a quasi-governmental water conservation district that protects, conserves, uses, and develops water resources of the Colorado River basin across 15 Western Colorado counties. It operates two District-owned reservoirs (Elkhead and Wolford Mountain), administers the Community Funding Partnership grant program, manages drought response and water leasing programs, and leads the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project to permanently protect historic senior water rights. The District engages West Slope communities through State of the River meetings, the Annual Water Seminar, and policy advocacy at state, federal, and interstate levels.
Product overview
The Colorado River Water Conservation District (Colorado River District) operates as a water resource management organization rather than a software product company. Its portfolio consists of water management programs, infrastructure assets, and community engagement initiatives. The core offerings include the Community Funding Partnership grant program for water projects, the Yampa River Drought Response Program providing supplemental agricultural water, and the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project for permanent water rights protection. The District owns and operates two major reservoirs (Wolford and Elkhead) and conducts annual State of the River meetings and Water Seminar events for community education. Programs focus on water conservation, drought contingency planning, demand management, and endangered fish recovery across fifteen Western Slope counties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Funding Partnership Grant program supporting development of multi-benefit water projects across Western Colorado, funding projects in agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health, water quality, and conservation/efficiency. Open to qualifying local water entities, municipalities, agricultural organizations, and conservation groups via online application portal.
- Yampa River Drought Response Program Drought relief program offering supplemental agricultural water from Elkhead Reservoir to assist agricultural producers in the Yampa Valley during severe drought conditions. Water is provided at no cost to eligible applicants through a lottery-based allocation system, with initial allocation capped at 50 acre-feet per applicant.
- Water Lease Program Program allowing lease of water supplies held by the District for various beneficial uses across the Western Slope, including agricultural and municipal uses.
- Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project Landmark initiative to purchase and permanently protect the historic Shoshone Water Rights, comprising senior nonconsumptive water rights (1902 and 1929) that stabilize flows on the upper Colorado River and contribute 33,100 to 36,800 acre-feet annually to Colorado River baseflow in dry years.
- Elkhead Reservoir Water Supply District-owned reservoir providing water for agricultural relief programs (including the Yampa River Drought Response Program) and strategic releases to mitigate drought impacts in the Yampa River Valley.
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir Water Supply Major water storage reservoir owned by the District, used to help Western Slope communities manage water supplies during drought conditions through strategic releases.
Quantifiable outcome
- 420 acre-feet of supplemental agricultural water provided annually during drought years through Elkhead Reservoir releases
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Colorado River Water Conservation District
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Colorado River Water Conservation District technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Colorado River Water Conservation District partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Colorado Water Conservation BoardcoreJointly filed water court application with CRD and PSCo for Shoshone Water Rights change. CWCB accepted perpetual interest in instream flow use and signed instream flow agreement. State allocated $20 million through HB24-1435 toward $99 million purchase.
- Breckenridge, Gypsum, Pitkin County, New Castle, Parachute, De BequemajorMultiple West Slope communities and counties joined the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation effort, contributing funding and political support. Pitkin County committed $1 million; combined efforts strengthen regional coalition.
- Colorado Mesa UniversitycoreCRD Board approved $300,000 grant to CMU's Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center, matched by $300,000 from CMU. Partnership strengthens Water Center as West Slope hub for water policy and academic education, supporting hiring of executive director and long-term growth strategy.
- Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy)coreSigned $99 million Purchase and Sale Agreement in December 2023 for transfer of Shoshone Water Rights to Colorado River District. PSCo will continue hydropower production at Shoshone plant while CRD acquires water rights for permanent West Slope protection.
- Terror Ditch Pipeline Project (Delta County)minor$80,000 grant to pipe 1.3 miles of ditches reducing water loss and mitigating infrastructure collapse risks, benefiting 500+ acres of agricultural land in Gunnison Basin.
- Upper Yampa Watershed and Stagecoach Reservoir Water Quality Model Project (Routt County)minor$100,000 grant to develop decision-making tools addressing harmful algal blooms and improving water quality in Upper Yampa River Basin.
- U.S. Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, Representatives Neguse, Pettersen, Crow, DeGetteminorColorado congressional delegation submitted letter to Bureau of Reclamation supporting CRD's federal funding application for Shoshone water rights protection.
- Bear River Reservoir Companyminor$123,000 grant for Stillwater Reservoir repairs in Routt and Garfield counties addressing seepage issues and restoring storage capacity.
- Roaring Fork Community Development Corporationminor$217,370 grant for 3 Mile Mobile Home Park drinking water upgrades in Garfield County, replacing aging infrastructure and enhancing water treatment.
- Orchard Mesa Irrigation DistrictminorReceived $10.5 million Bureau of Reclamation funding for water-delivery infrastructure upgrades in Grand Valley. CRD advocated for this federal investment supporting 9,219 acres of agricultural land.
- Learning By Doing (Grand County)minorCollaborative initiative with Grand County focused on water stewardship and community-based water management programs.
- River Basin RoundtablesminorPartnership with basin roundtables across Western Colorado including Gunnison Basin Roundtable and Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District for coordinated water management.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Colorado River Water Conservation District competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Central Arizona Water Conservation District: Operates the Colorado River aqueduct system delivering Arizona's Colorado River allocation; directly comparable as a Colorado River basin water conservation district managing storage, delivery, and water rights on the same river system.
- Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District: Colorado water conservancy district operating Stagecoach Reservoir in Routt County; closely comparable in mission, geographic footprint, and reservoir-based drought response activities, including the Upper Yampa water quality project co-funded by CRD.
- Dolores Water Conservancy District: Colorado water conservancy district operating McPhee Reservoir in the Dolores River basin; comparable as a regional water district managing reservoir operations, irrigation delivery, and drought response in Western Colorado.
- Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association: Manages irrigation infrastructure in the Uncompahgre Valley of Western Colorado; comparable as an agricultural water management entity in CRD's 15-county service area with overlapping stakeholder base.
- Colorado Water Conservation Board: State agency administering Colorado's water resources, including instream flow programs and water rights policy; co-partner with CRD on the Shoshone agreement and broadly comparable in regulatory mandate over Colorado water.
- San Juan Water Commission: Multi-state commission coordinating Colorado River water management in the San Juan basin (NM, CO, UT); comparable as a regional water entity operating across state lines on Colorado River tributaries with similar rights-administration responsibilities.
Broad incumbents
- Southern Nevada Water Authority: Major multi-state Colorado River water authority serving Las Vegas; comparable as a large institutional Colorado River water manager with portfolio storage, treatment, and rights administration but at much greater scale.
- Denver Water: Largest water utility in Colorado serving the Denver metro area; comparable as a Colorado water provider managing reservoirs, water rights, and drought planning but with a municipal rather than multi-county basin mandate.
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Largest municipal water district in the US supplying Colorado River and State Water Project water to Southern California; comparable as a Colorado River basin stakeholder with extensive storage, treatment, and policy influence.
Others
- National Water Resources Association: National trade association for water districts, irrigation districts, and conservation districts; comparable as the broader ecosystem membership body for entities like CRD, providing policy advocacy and peer coordination.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Colorado River Water Conservation District social profiles
Digital presenceColorado River Water Conservation District financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colorado River Water Conservation District leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Colorado River Water Conservation District funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colorado River Water Conservation District M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Colorado River Water Conservation District
What does Colorado River Water Conservation District do?
The Colorado River Water Conservation District is a quasi-governmental water conservation district that protects, conserves, uses, and develops water resources of the Colorado River basin across 15 Western Colorado counties. It operates two District-owned reservoirs (Elkhead and Wolford Mountain), administers the Community Funding Partnership grant program, manages drought response and water leasing programs, and leads the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project to permanently protect historic senior water rights. The District engages West Slope communities through State of the River meetings, the Annual Water Seminar, and policy advocacy at state, federal, and interstate levels.
Is Colorado River Water Conservation District a public or private company?
Colorado River Water Conservation District is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Colorado River Water Conservation District founded?
Colorado River Water Conservation District was founded in 1937.
Where is Colorado River Water Conservation District based?
Colorado River Water Conservation District is headquartered in Glenwood Springs, United States, in the North America region.
How does Colorado River Water Conservation District make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Property Tax Revenue is the primary driver. The others are community Funding Partnership Grants and water Leasing and Augmentation.
Who are Colorado River Water Conservation District's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Central Arizona Water Conservation District, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District, Dolores Water Conservancy District, Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, Colorado Water Conservation Board and San Juan Water Commission. Broad incumbents are Southern Nevada Water Authority, Denver Water and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. National Water Resources Association is listed as an others.
Does Colorado River Water Conservation District have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colorado River Water Conservation District.
What industry is Colorado River Water Conservation District in?
Colorado River Water Conservation District's product category is Water Resource Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAE, Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater), with a secondary code of BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration. Its NAICS code is 9241.