John W. Hickenlooper

01/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/09/2025 16:30

Hickenlooper, Bennet Welcome $4.8 Million for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

WaterSMART program receives funding from the senators' Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet welcomed the Bureau of Reclamation's (BOR) announcement of $4.8 million in WaterSMART grant funding for three Colorado ecosystem restoration projects.

BOR provided the investment through its WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects program, which is funded by the senators' Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

"Long-term drought is reshaping Colorado rivers, threatening the delicate ecosystems that make life in the West possible," said Hickenlooper. "Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is empowering Colorado communities to protect them."

"Climate change isn't a future condition in the West--it's here now," said Bennet. "As communities across our state face dwindling water resources and historic drought, I'm grateful that these investments will help Colorado's nonprofit partners work with local governments to restore critical waterways and wildlife habitat."

The WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects support ecosystem restoration efforts that increase water reliability, all developed through collaborative local efforts. The $4.8 million will fund three restoration projects on Boulder Creek, Willow Creek, and the Upper Colorado River.

A full list of selected Colorado projects is available below:

Project Title Location Purpose Funding Amount
Boulder Creek Headwaters Resiliency Project Boulder Restore 181 acres of degraded aquatic and riparian habitat along the Boulder Creek Watershed $954,204
Ecological Stream Restoration of Willow Creek North Creede Establish 2.2 acres of vegetated floodplain and restore 3,300 linear feet of Willow Creek to increase watershed resilience $2,450,719
Upper Colorado River Ecosystem Enhancement Project Granby Restore two stream reaches on the Fraser River and Willow Creek to create habitat for wildlife and improve stream function $1,425,859

More information on the Colorado projects is available HERE.

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