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2026 ISF Recommendations

Pursuant to ISF Rule 5, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is providing notice that the following streams are being considered for appropriation. The earliest these streams could be recommended to the CWCB Board is at the January 2026 meeting. Staff is evaluating these recommendations for completeness and accuracy and performing an independent review of water availability. Staff requests public comment on these recommendations and urges any interested parties to provide comments to Rob Viehl. Detailed information regarding these proposed instream flow appropriations can be obtained by clicking on the stakeholder recommendation in the table below. Staff will provide regular updates to this table as information is received and developed.

Instream Flow Appropriations

Last Updated: [03/21/25]

Water
Division
Stream NameSupporting DocumentationRecommending
Entity
CountyStatus  
1East Roaring Fork Creek
(Headwaters to confl Roaring Creek)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWLarimerActive
1Garber Creek
(Confl. North & South Garber Creeks to confl. West Plum Creek)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWDouglasActive
1

Platte Gulch
(Headwaters to confl. Middle Fork South Platte)

Preliminary RecommendationCPW and Park CountyParkActive
1West Plum Creek
(Headwaters to confl. East Plum Creek)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWDouglasActive
2Cottonwood Creek
(Headwaters to F. Keuhn Ditch No. 2 headgate)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWCusterActive
2Cottonwood Creek
(Confl. Salt Creek to Giem Ditch headgate)
Preliminary RecommendationBLMFremontActive
2East Gulch
(Confl. Antelope Gulch to confl. Arkansas River)
Preliminary RecommendationBLMFremontActive
4Pine Creek
(Headwaters to confl. Morrow Point Reservoir)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWGunnison

Active

4

Taylor River (increase) (confl. Eyre Creek to confl. Italian Creek) 

Recommendation Letter

WRA

Gunnison

Active

6Bear Creek
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWGarfield

Active

6Big Fish Creek
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWGarfield

Active

6East Marvine Creek
(Headwaters to confl. Marvine Creek)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWRio BlancoActive
6Hauskins Creek
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River
Preliminary RecommendationCPW

Garfield

Active

6Hill Creek
(Headwaters to Hill Creek Ditch #2 & #3 hdgt.)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWRio Blanco

Active

6

Lost Dog Creek (Headwaters to confl. North Fork Elk Creek)

Preliminary Recommendation

CPW

Routt

Active

6Lynx Creek 
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWGarfield

Active

6Mirror Creek
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWRio Blanco

Active

6Pagoda Creek 
(Headwaters to confl South Fork Williams Fork
Preliminary RecommendationBLMRio Blanco

Active

6Paradise Creek
(Headwaters to Paradise Ponds diversion hdgt.)
Preliminary RecommendationCPW
Garfield, Rio Blanco

Active

6Picket Pin Creek
(Headwaters to confl. NF White River)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWGarfieldActive
6South Fork White River
(Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary to confl. Swede Creek)
Preliminary RecommendationCPWRio Blanco

Active

6

West Willow Creek 
(Headwaters to confl. Willow Creek

Preliminary Recommendation

BLM

Routt

Active

6

Willow Creek 
(Outlet Boyer Reservoir to confl. West Branch Creek)

Preliminary Recommendation

BLM

Routt

Active

7

Mill Creek (Headwaters to confl. Cascade Creek)

Preliminary Recommendation

CPW

San Juan

Active

7

Pando Creek (Headwaters to confl. Cascade Creek)

Preliminary Recommendation

CPW

San Juan

Active

BLM: Bureau of Land Management
CPW: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
WRA: Western Resource Advocates