Bennet, Hickenlooper, Hurd’s Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act Unanimously Passes Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Jul 16, 2026 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) celebrated the unanimous passage of their Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act (S. 2754) out of ENR. This legislation transfers ownership of the Crystal Reservoir and the associated dam and water infrastructure from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to the City of Ouray (the City).

"The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is a common-sense piece of legislation that will protect Ouray's water supply and a beloved recreation asset for future generations," said Bennet. "This week's bipartisan vote is an important step forward, and I'll keep working to get this bill signed into law."

"Ouray can unlock the potential of the Crystal Reservoir if we get this bill across the finish line," said Hickenlooper. "Communities like Ouray deserve to have control over their own water resources. It'll boost recreation, make local water supplies more resilient, and help fight future wildfires."

"For too long, the people of Ouray have had to look at an empty reservoir that should be serving their community," said Hurd. "Crystal Reservoir has the potential to support local water needs, strengthen wildfire response, benefit agriculture, and provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Moving the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act forward is an important step toward returning this resource to local control, where the people who know the community best can make the decisions that shape its future. I'm grateful to Chairman Lee and the members of the committee for advancing this legislation, and I'll keep working with my colleagues in the Senate to see this bill signed into law so Crystal Reservoir can once again serve the people of Ouray for generations to come."

The bill would convey approximately 45 acres of federal land, including the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance would occur at no cost to the City, in exchange for its assumption of responsibility for the operations, maintenance, and repairs of the Full Moon Dam and Full Moon Ditch. The conveyance prohibits commercial development on the property, requires compliance with Colorado water law, and maintains public access to the reservoir and nearby trails for outdoor recreation and wildland fire response.

Bennet visited the Crystal Reservoir in the fall of 2024, where he was joined by leaders from the City of Ouray, Ouray County, and the USFS. The USFS drained the reservoir in January 2024, leaving the City, local hot springs, wildland firefighters, and downstream agricultural producers without a critical water supply. The reservoir is also a well-loved recreation attraction and a needed water source for aerial wildland firefighting.

The text of the bill is available HERE. The legislative map can be found HERE. Letters of support can be found HERE.

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