Watch CBS News

Gov. Hickenlooper Endorses Proposed Reservoir Southwest Of Loveland

DENVER (AP) - Gov. John Hickenlooper has endorsed a planned $400 million reservoir southwest of Loveland.

Hickenlooper said Wednesday the Chimney Hollow Reservoir would help ensure reliable water supplies for Front Range cities while taking steps to minimize environmental damage in western Colorado, where the water originates.

Chimney Hollow Reservoir Carter Lake Reservoir
(credit: northernwater.org)

Hickenlooper has argued the state needs more reservoirs to store water during wet years so it can be used in dry years.

Chimney Hollow has state approval and Hickenlooper's endorsement wasn't required. The project is awaiting a federal permit.

Water for the reservoir would be pumped from the Windy Gap Reservoir on the Colorado River near Granby, west of the Continental Divide, through an existing tunnel to the east side of the divide.

Thirteen Front Range water providers that already own the water rights would pay for the reservoir.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.