American Whitewater has led the recreational boating voice in the management of the Upper Colorado River since 2007. At that time, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its report on the eligibility of rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin for Wild and Scenic River designation. In response to potential federal protection for Colorado’s headwater rivers, and the impact Wild and Scenic River management might have on the ability of the State to develop new water projects, various state agencies, local governments, and water providers came together in a collaborative effort to propose a local alternative to Wild and Scenic River management for the Colorado River. The Stakeholder Group has worked to improve flows for recreation in multiple low water years and have supported both environmental and recreational water rights. The group has been a lead sponsor of the Gore Race since 2016.
American Whitewater is a part of a coalition to make permanent two very senior water rights on the Upper Colorado River, commonly referred to as the Shoshone rights. The rights are for a small hydropower plant in the middle of Glenwood Canyon who act as the foundation for water uses up and downstream, including and importantly, whitewater boating. The staple roadside run, Shoshone is baotable nearly year round because of the existence of these water rights. American Whitewater has been a vocal supporter and party to the hearing to ensure these critical water rights remain unchanged and protect from further upstream depletions.