LEGISLATION TO CONVEY CRYSTAL LAKE TO THE CITY OF OURAY IS INTRODUCED IN THE U.S. SENATE & HOUSE!

We are providing all of the news articles and letters of support via GoogleDrive:

• Read and download all the published news and media and compiled so far, here. If you prefer a single zipped folder of news and media , click here - NM_ZIP.  
• Read and download all the letters of support compiled so far, here.  If you prefer to download a single zipped folder of support letters, click here - LOS_ZIP.

Monitor the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act as it progresses!  

• H.R.5911
• S. 2754

Hurd introduces reservoir legislation

Hurd introduced the House legislation on Tuesday. Hurd’s chief of staff, Nick Bayer, said Hurd’s team didn’t want to delay introducing the legislation, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. The bill was introduced during what’s called a “pro forma” session of Congress, which is a brief session held for procedural reasons, allowed during the shutdown...[more]

Hurd introduces House bill to transfer Crystal Reservoir to Ouray

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd has introduced legislation to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray, identical to a Senate bill introduced in September, after weeks of uncertainty over his position on the issue.

Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper first introduced Senate legislation on Sept. 10.

Hurd introduced the House legislation on Tuesday. Hurd’s chief of staff...[more]

Hurd mum on reservoir transfer 

Public officials and other supporters of the legislation in Ouray County have urged Hurd to co-sponsor the legislation, but it remains unclear if he will. The bill does not yet have a Republican co-sponsor, or any sponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill to transfer ownership of the reservoir doesn’t appear to have outspoken opponents...[more]

Effort afoot to revive scenic lake in southwest Colorado.

At the urging of the two longtime locals along with several other regional governments, first responders and environmental and tourism groups, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennett and John Hickenlooper recently announced proposed legislation that would transfer the lake from the owning U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray. The city has pledged to refill the lake...[more]

Colorado’s US senators introduce bill to give a federal reservoir, Crystal Lake, to the city of Ouray. 

The Forest Service drained the lake in 2024 after finding cracks and seepage at its dam. Locals want it back...[more]

Congress to consider Crystal Reservoir transfer. Bill co-sponsored by Bennet, Hickenlooper introduced today.

A bill to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, giving hope to supporters of re-filling the reservoir that has remained stagnant since it was drained. The effort...comes almost 1 1/2 years after the Forest Service decided to empty it, leaving the reservoir unusable...[more]

TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: CRYSTAL'S FUTURE CLOUDY. Top story of 2024: What will become of Red Mountain reservoir?   

The future of Crystal Reservoir, the shallow body of water atop Red Mountain Pass prized for its scenic values and water rights, is very much up in the air heading into the new yearThe U.S. Forest Service’s decision to draw down the reservoir last spring and potentially return it to wetlands triggered objections from local governments, revealed years of disagreements...[more]

City enlists senator’s help to try to acquire Crystal Reservoir.  

The fight over a beloved, partially drained reservoir may be resolved in Congress, as the city of Ouray has requested help from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet to try to acquire Crystal Reservoir, the Full Moon Dam and associated water rights from the U.S. Forest Service...[more]

Senator meets with stakeholders to discuss history, future of Crystal. Bennet vows to help transfer reservoir ownership.

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said Wednesday he will draft a bill to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray, a move that could help secure the long-term future of the reservoir, which was drawn down earlier this year...[more]

A picturesque lake in southwestern Colorado disappeared. Locals want it back as fast as possible.

The U.S. Forest Service drained Crystal Lake in April, citing dam issues and concern for public safety. The move left locals flummoxed...[more]

County to conduct own analysis of Crystal Reservoir.  Second opinion sought as Forest Service contemplates future of partially drained reservoir.

Ouray County leaders voted on Tuesday to hire a consultant to study issues with Crystal Reservoir...[more]

City, feds spar over reservoir.

The city of Ouray and the U.S. Forest Service are locked in a disagreement over the federal agency’s drawdown of Crystal Reservoir and whether the city has a legal right to some of the water...[more]

County, work with feds to preserve reservoir.

Dear Editor: Ouray County is in danger of losing one of its iconic panoramas. The U.S. Forest Service has announced that it will begin drawing down Crystal Reservoir with the possibility of it being removed entirely. They are concerned about the integrity of the dam which was built in 1912.

I urge the Board of County Commissioners to work with the Forest Service to assure that we will not lose this historic lake. Ouray depends on tourism for...[more]

Drawdown underway for Crystal Reservoir after slumping noted in Full Moon Dam; closure order issued

The Forest Service is taking more steps to address structural defects in the Full Moon Dam above Ouray, this week announcing that Crystal Reservoir, which the dam forms, will be drawn down so experts can better assess its issues.

Photo Caption: The Full Moon Dam on Crystal Reservoir above Ouray. The dam is rated as a high hazard because of its location relative to downstream interests...[more]

Fate of reservoir still undetermined.

Crystal Reservoir releases begin, access closed due to dam safety concerns.

The U.S. Forest Service will start releasing water from Crystal Reservoir to lessen pressure on the structurally compromised Full Moon Dam, beginning this week. According to the agency, it will close off public access to the reservoir, and the route across the dam at the north end of the reservoir, as well as a segment of the Hayden Trail...[more]

Let’s hope for a preserved Crystal Reservoir.

Dear Editor: On Dec. 18, 2003, the Ouray Ranger District published a press release announcing the purchase of an 806-acre parcel of mining claim in the Ironton valley. The second paragraph read: “This land is one of the crown jewels in the Red Mountain area,” said Forest Service District Ranger Jim Free. “It has world class mountain views, outstanding ecological, recreational and historical values...[more]

A cloudy future for Crystal Reservoir.

The U.S. Forest Service is considering draining the body of water atop Red Mountain Pass. 

Local leaders worry that could harm tourism and recreation...The city of Ouray has water storage rights in the reservoir, and an operations and maintenance agreement with the Forest Service to store the city’s water...[more]

The Red Mountain Project began in 1998 to protect 10,500 acres of scenic and historic landscapes, preserve numerous historic mining and railroad sites, and provide enhanced recreation and interpretation along the San Juan Skyway. 

• The Trust for Public Land acquired and conveyed approximately 7,800 acres to the Forest Service.
• 800 acres of Ironton Park and Crystal Lake were preserved.
• Red Mountain Project Fact Sheet
• Map of Acquired Land (JPG, 500K)
• Project Partners
• RMP Heritage Recreation Map/Brochure

This 10-part series by Samantha Wright, originally published in 2018 in the  Ouray County Plaindealer and the Telluride Watch, celebrates the story of the Idarado Mine's award-winning reclamation and partnership in Ouray and Telluride.  The Red Mountain Project included 800 acres in Ironton Park, whose owners had originally enlisted a broker to market their property for development.

• See pages 16 & 17 for the installment, A LEGACY OF LAND, which tells this part of the story...[more]

Casting about for a solution.

In this file photo from 2019, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Senior Aquatic Biologist Eric Gardunio stands in Crystal Reservoir after releasing a cutthroat trout he caught as part of an experiment to see if flashing lights could encourage fish to stay in the reservoir...[more]

Red Mountain Miracle.

Initially, the group hoped to acquire 10,500 acres. Now, the remaining 1,500 acres, still in private hands, are even more valuable than before because they are on the edge of or surrounded by public land. But that didn’t dampen the ebullient mood at the Aug. 18 gathering, held next to the newly public Crystal Lake, where the glassy water held reflections of deep orange mountainsides...[more]

A photo gallery related to the September 7, 2007 HCN article.  

...[more]

Red Mountain tries to hang on to history. Locals want to put an abandoned mining district in public hands.

Task force members first asked the Trust for Public Land to help the Forest Service secure a deal with the largest land owner in the area, Idarado Mining Co. a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp. This turned out to be easy: Richard River, vice president of Idarado, said mining on Red Mountain is no longer economically viable due to environmental constraints... agreed...[more]