Project Active
Maroon Creek – Stapleton Brothers Ditch
Through 2022, the Stapleton Ditch Project has restored over
billion gallons
acre-feet
How Did This Project Come to Us?:
Colorado Water Trust was invited in 2001 to discuss Pitkin County’s opportunities to utilize their water rights to improve flows in the Roaring Fork Basin. Eventually, these exploratory discussions, coupled with the passage of new laws (House Bill 08-1280) led to the signing of an innovative agreement between the Water Trust, the County, and the Colorado Water Conservation Board in 2008.
Tools Used:
Instream Flow Water Acquisition – Long Term Lease (This agreement allows Pitkin County to protect up to 3.83 cfs of water in the river, boosting flows through Maroon Creek, a tributary to the Roaring Fork River)
Project Partners:
Colorado Water Conservation Board, Pitkin County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Bishop-Brogden Associates Inc (Project Consultants)
Project Years:
The agreement for this project was signed in 2013. The project has restored flows to the river since 2014.
- Photo Credit: Brian Epstein
Click here for a beautiful photo story of our Maroon Creek project
Pitkin County Trust Agreement confirmed by water court
Many congratulations are in order for Pitkin County and the Colorado Water Conservation Board! Pitkin County’s desire to boost streamflows in the Roaring Fork Basin by utilizing its County water...
County deal to protect water in two rivers is nearly complete
It has cost $200,000 and taken four years, but Pitkin County is poised to become the first county in Colorado to sign a long-term lease with the Colorado Water Conservation...
CWCB Hearing scheduled for Pitkin County trust agreement
Pitkin County is proposing to place a host of water rights—over thirty—into the state’s instream flow program under a trust agreement. This ground-breaking collaboration between the Colorado Water Conservation Board...
Pitkin County effort to protect river delayed by two local districts
Pitkin County’s effort to place 4.3 cubic-feet-per-second of water into a trust managed by a state agency, for the benefit of the Roaring Fork River, has been challenged and delayed...
Creative Deal Means More Water for Fish in the Roaring Fork Valley
A collaborative effort between the Colorado Water Trust, Pitkin County and the Colorado Water Conservation Board achieved a creative solution to protecting instream flows through the Roaring Fork Valley. Numerous...
PitCo seeks to leave more water in Roaring Fork
Pitkin County is taking unprecedented steps to keep more water flowing down the Roaring Fork River for environmental purposes.
In November, county voters approved a 0.1 percent sales tax worth...
State water agency supports county plan
Pitkin County’s innovative proposal to enter into a trust agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board in order to leave more water in the Roaring Fork River was well-received by...