In response to extreme drought conditions throughout northwestern Colorado, the Colorado River District and the Colorado Water Conservation Board is offering up to 420 acre-feet of supplemental agricultural water from Elkhead Reservoir for irrigators in the Yampa River Valley.

Modeled after a similar program implemented in 2021, this year’s efforts will provide additional supplies during critical times of agricultural production.

Water will be allocated using a lottery with an initial round of allocations up to 50 AF per applicant, totaling 420 AF. Any water remaining after the lottery will be awarded equally to initial applicants that expressed a need beyond 50 AF. Once initial lottery applicants have received water, any remaining water will be available on a first-come, first served basis through a no-cost contract with the River District.

Successful lottery participants will need to enter into a no-cost contract with the River District for direct delivery and/or use of the District’s Elkhead water. In the event there is a mainstem Yampa River call and to the extent that lesses are out-of-priority, water will be released at the diversion rate plus transit losses.

Applications are due by June 26 and the initial lottery will be conducted on July 1. Interested applicants can apply by contacting the Colorado River District’s Director of Asset Management, Hunter Causey, at hcausey@crwcd.org or by visiting http://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/lease-water/.

Water will be available for delivery or exchange beginning July 10.