Help us save Crystal Lake! Your support helps us demonstrate to Congress that the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act should be swiftly passed. After it is conveyed to the City, it can quickly be repaired and refilled, restoring essential water for municipal use, firefighting, wildlife, and recreation.
Join us! View the growing list of local governments and stakeholders, along with their letters of strong support, here.
Because of your early support, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is now bipartisan bicameral legislation. We are grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Representative Hurd (R-CO3). We still need more
Join us! View the growing list of local governments and stakeholders, along with their letters of strong support, here.
Because of your early support, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act is now bipartisan bicameral legislation. We are grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Representative Hurd (R-CO3). We still need more U.S. Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor. By signing the petition and adding your comments, you are helping us get committee hearings and floor votes.
Anyone can sign the petition - you don't need to be a local. Crystal Lake is beloved by visitors from across the U.S. and the world.
Urgent: PLEASE CALL REPRESENTATIVE HURD and THANK him for his strong support and co-sponsoring this Act: 202-225-4676 (D.C. Office).
Please also THANK Senators Bennet 202-224-5852) and Hickenlooper (202-224-5941) for supporting and co-sponsoring the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act.
If you are not a resident of Colorado's 3rd Congression
Urgent: PLEASE CALL REPRESENTATIVE HURD and THANK him for his strong support and co-sponsoring this Act: 202-225-4676 (D.C. Office).
Please also THANK Senators Bennet 202-224-5852) and Hickenlooper (202-224-5941) for supporting and co-sponsoring the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act.
If you are not a resident of Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, please call your U.S. Representative and ask them to support the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act. If you are from another state, call your Senators and ask them to support it, too.
(Use the button to find your legislators if you are from another area.)
Why is restoring Crystal Lake and permanently preserving free and full public access for recreation important to you? Tell us about your favorite visit to Crystal Lake. Send us your Crystal Lake photos.
For example, Photographer Jacob Candelaria posted this dark sky photo of Crystal Lake on 1/19/24 on the American Southwest Facebook page:
Why is restoring Crystal Lake and permanently preserving free and full public access for recreation important to you? Tell us about your favorite visit to Crystal Lake. Send us your Crystal Lake photos.
For example, Photographer Jacob Candelaria posted this dark sky photo of Crystal Lake on 1/19/24 on the American Southwest Facebook page: "... This was a fun trip and I love any excuse to sneak away to the San Juan mountains...there were some other photographers getting some time-lapse and drone footage. I rarely cross paths with other photographers, so it was nice to have some people to share experiences with."
Facebook post by Andy Crawford, showing Crystal Lake on a fall day, before it was drained.
THE CRYSTAL RESERVOIR CONVEYANCE ACT WILL:
The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act has broad support from local governments in Ouray and San Juan Counties and from key stakeholders who helped the USFS acquire Crystal Lake and Full Moon Dam in 2003. Please show your support by signing our petition.
Your support helps us get US SB2754, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, passed in the Senate and House and to the President for signature. Once conveyed to the City of Ouray, Crystal can be quickly repaired and refilled, restoring essential water for municipal use, firefighting, wildlife, and recreation. The Conveyance guarantees that Crystal Lake will remain undeveloped with free and full public access to the lake and trails in perpetuity.
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet,
"The City's water supply and hot springs depend on Crystal Reservoir. This common-sense legislation will refill and reopen the Reservoir, protecting its recreational and environmental benefits for future generations."
Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper,
"A refilled Crystal Reservoir will boost outdoor recreation and provide much-needed water storage to fight extreme drought and better manage wildfires. Through this transfer, Ouray can unlock that potential to make repairs and maintain the reservoir."
Colorado Governor Jared Polis,
"Colorado water is one of our most precious resources and this new bill from Senator Bennet will restore local water, land access, and management to the community that knows the watershed best."
City of Ouray: Ethan Funk, Mayor
"For over 90 years, Crystal Reservoir has been a part of a colorful history, and a favorite recreation location in the San Juan mountains of Colorado...Crystal reservoir is deeply missed by all who knew her, and we want her back. The City, along with our many partners, seeks to repair and restore this beautiful body of water so she can continue on for many more generations. I fully support the conveyance...We will return the love..."
Colorado Department of Natural Resources: Dan Gibbs, Executive Director
"Longterm stewardship of natural resources, especially water supply, is critical for the local communities that are experiencing increasing drought conditions and reduced precipitation which are particularly profound in Southwestern Colorado. This...locally supported legislation is a good step...while also protecting public access, current recreational uses and wildlife habitats."
City of Ouray: Ethan Funk, Mayor
"I write to express my unwavering support for your efforts to convey Full Moon Dam and Crystal Reservoir...to the City of Ouray. This historic infrastructure is critical to the people of the City of Ouray as water storage for the city’s water augmentation plan, and as a popular destination for both locals and visitors for recreation."