Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

This bill would transfer a small piece of Forest Service land and the Crystal Reservoir area near Ouray, Colorado to the City of Ouray, along with the related water rights. After the law takes effect, the transfer should happen as soon as practical. The City would run and maintain the dam, reservoir, and ditches and could use the water for storage and other legal uses under Colorado law. The City could also keep using the nearby Red Mountain Ditch to move water to the reservoir .

The land must stay open to the public, free of charge, for recreation like fishing. No new development or commercial activity is allowed there, except what’s needed to operate and maintain the dam, reservoir, and related structures. The City cannot expand the reservoir in a way that harms upstream wetlands, though deepening the reservoir is allowed if it fits the City’s water rights. If the City stops following these rules, the land can revert back to the United States. The Forest Service covers most transfer costs; the City pays for any needed land surveys. A final map and legal description will be prepared and kept on file by the Forest Service .

• Who is affected: City of Ouray; local residents and visitors who use the area for recreation
• What changes: Ownership of the reservoir site and related water rights move from the federal government to the City; public access stays free; no new development allowed except for maintenance and operations; wetlands protected; continued use of Red Mountain Ditch allowed
• Costs: Forest Service pays most transfer costs; City pays for surveys and takes on all repair, operation, and maintenance costs for the dam and related infrastructure
• When: Transfer occurs as soon as practical after the law is enacted; map and legal description finalized soon after and kept on file