CWCB Notice of 2027 ISF Appropriations

[mariell...@state.co.us]

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Instream Flow Program

 

March 17, 2026

 

Pursuant to ISF Rule 5c. of the Rules Concerning the Colorado Instream Flow (ISF) and Natural Lake Level (NLL) Program, this notice identifies the streams that may be considered for ISF appropriations in 2027. At the January 2027 meeting of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), staff may request that the Board form its intent to appropriate ISF water rights for the streams listed in the recommendation table below.

 

The ISF Recommendations are available online at:

https://cwcb.colorado.gov/2027-isf-recommendations.

 

In addition to the ISF recommendations, staff may rely on any additional data, exhibits, testimony, or other information submitted by any party as part of the Official CWCB Record.

 

It should also be noted that, pursuant to the ISF Rules:

 

5d. (3)

(a) The Board may change flow amounts of contested ISF appropriations based on information received during the public notice and comment period.

 

(b) Staff will maintain, pursuant to Rule 5e.(3), an ISF Subscription Mailing List for each water division composed of the names of all persons who have sent notice to the Board Office that they wish to be included on such list for a particular water division. Any person desiring to be on the ISF Subscription Mailing List(s) must send notice to the Board Office.

 

(c) Any meetings held between Staff and members of the public will be open to the public. Staff may provide Proper Notice prior to any such meetings and may provide notice to persons on the ISF Subscription Mailing List(s).

 

(d) Any Notice to Contest must be received at the Board office no later than March 31, 2027. All Notices of Party status and Contested Hearing Participant status must be received at the Board office no later than April 30, 2027.

 

(e) Staff will announce its Final Staff ISF Recommendation concerning contested appropriations at the September 2027 Board meeting and will send notice of the Final Staff Recommendation to all persons on the Contested Hearing Mailing List.

 

(f) The Board may take final action on any uncontested ISF appropriations at the May 2027 Board meeting.

 

Note that section 37-92-102 (3) (b), C.R.S. provides: “Any such appropriation shall be subject to the present uses or exchanges of water being made by other water users pursuant to appropriation or practices in existence on the date of such appropriation, whether or not previously confirmed by court order or decree.” For more information on whether this provision applies to specific undecreed uses of water in or above the proposed instream flow segments, and potential recognition of such uses in the CWCB’s water court decree, contact Rob Viehl at the address above or via email to rob....@state.co.us.

 

The schedule set forth in (d), (e), and (f) above will apply to streams on which the CWCB declares its intent to appropriate water rights in January 2027. Should you wish to comment on the proposed ISF Recommendations or request more information you may do so by writing Rob Viehl of the Board's staff at the address or email given above. Your appearance at any meeting is welcome, but not necessary. If you request, Staff will present your written comments to the Board. If you are not currently on the Board's ISF Subscription Mailing List and you would like to be, sign up online at: https://dwr.state.co.us/Portal/Login/

 

ISF Recommendations

Div	Stream	Watershed	County	Length (miles)	Upper Terminus	Lower Terminus
1	Platte Gulch	South Platte Headwaters	Park	1.54	Headwaters	Confluence MF South Platte River
1	West Plum Creek	Upper South Platte	Douglas	22.6	Headwaters	Confluence East Plum Creek
4	Basin Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	2.42	Headwaters	Confluence Clear Fork of Muddy River
4	Big Blue Creek*	Upper Gunnison	Gunnison Hinsdale	4.63	Big Blue Ditch	Confluence Blue Creek
4	North Twin Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	2.34	Headwaters	Confluence Twin Creek
4	Pine Creek	Upper Gunnison	Gunnison	16.7	Headwaters	Confluence Morrow Point Reservoir
4	Rock Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	3.11	Headwaters	Confluence Clear Fork
4	Second Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	5.67	Headwaters	Confluence Clear Fork
4	South Twin Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	2.73	Headwaters	Confluence Twin Creek
4	Steuben Creek	Upper Gunnison	Gunnison	9.96	Confluence West Steuben Creek	Confluence Blue Mesa Reservoir
4	Taylor River (increase)	East-Taylor	Gunnison	10.9	Confluence Eyre Creek	Confluence Italian Creek
4	Twin Creek*	North Fork Gunnison	Gunnison	0.21	Confluence North Twin Creek and South Twin Creek	Confluence Clear Fork
5	Deep Creek	Colorado Headwaters	Eagle Garfield	15.3	Outlet of Deep Lake	BLM Property Boundary
6	Butcherknife Creek*	Upper Yampa	Routt	5.06	Headwaters	Confluence Yampa River
6	East Marvine Creek	Upper White	Rio Blanco	7.31	Headwaters	Confluence Marvine Creek
6	Hill Creek	Upper White	Rio Blanco	3.84	Headwaters	Hill Creek Ditch #2 & #3 hdgt
6	Lost Dog Creek	Upper Yampa	Routt	4.13	Headwaters	Confluence NF Elk River
6	Mirror Creek	Upper White	Rio Blanco	2.16	Headwaters	Confluence NF White River
6	Paradise Creek	Upper White	Garfield Rio Blanco	2.98	Headwaters	Paradise Ponds Diversion Hdgt
6	South Fork White River	Upper White	Rio Blanco	8.07	Flat Tops Wilderness Area Boundary	Confluence Swede Creek
7	Mill Creek	Animas	San Juan	4.01	Headwaters	Confluence Cascade Creek

*Recommendation received at the February 2026 ISF Workshop