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.
- Appropriation Notices
- Presentations at the 2025 ISF Workshop
- Mapping Data
Additional Information
Instream Flow Appropriations
Last Updated: [12/01/25]
| Water Division | Stream Name | Supporting Documentation | Recommending Entity | County | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Roaring Fork Creek (Headwaters to confl Roaring Creek) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Larimer | Active |
| 1 | Garber Creek (Confl. North & South Garber Creeks to confl. West Plum Creek) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Douglas | Postponed until 2027 |
| 1 | Platte Gulch | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW and Park County | Park | Active |
| 1 | West Plum Creek (Headwaters to confl. East Plum Creek) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Douglas | Postponed until 2027 |
| 2 | Cottonwood Creek (Headwaters to F. Keuhn Ditch No. 2 headgate) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Custer | Active |
| 2 | Cottonwood Creek (Confl. Salt Creek to Giem Ditch headgate) | Preliminary Recommendation | BLM | Fremont | Postponed until 2027 |
| 2 | East Gulch (Confl. Antelope Gulch to confl. Arkansas River) | Preliminary Recommendation | BLM | Fremont | Postponed until 2027 |
| 4 | Pine Creek (Headwaters to confl. Morrow Point Reservoir) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Gunnison | Postponed until 2027 |
4 | Taylor River (increase) (confl. Eyre Creek to confl. Italian Creek) | WRA | Gunnison | Postponed until 2027 | |
| 6 | Bear Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield | Active |
| 6 | Big Fish Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield | Active |
| 6 | East Marvine Creek (Headwaters to confl. Marvine Creek) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Rio Blanco | Active |
| 6 | Hauskins Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield | Active |
| 6 | Hill Creek (Headwaters to Hill Creek Ditch #2 & #3 hdgt.) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Rio Blanco | Active |
6 | Lost Dog Creek (Headwaters to confl. North Fork Elk Creek) | CPW | Routt | Postponed until 2027 | |
| 6 | Lynx Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield | Active |
| 6 | Mirror Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Rio Blanco | Active |
| 6 | Pagoda Creek (Headwaters to confl South Fork Williams Fork | Preliminary Recommendation | BLM | Rio Blanco | Postponed until 2027 |
| 6 | Paradise Creek (Headwaters to Paradise Ponds diversion hdgt.) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield, Rio Blanco | Active |
| 6 | Picket Pin Creek (Headwaters to confl. NF White River) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Garfield | Active |
| 6 | South Fork White River (Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary to confl. Swede Creek) | Preliminary Recommendation | CPW | Rio Blanco | Postponed until 2027 |
6 | West Willow Creek | BLM | Routt | Postponed until 2027 | |
6 | Willow Creek | BLM | Routt | Postponed until 2027 | |
7 | Mill Creek (Headwaters to confl. Cascade Creek) | CPW | San Juan | Active | |
7 | Pando Creek (Headwaters to confl. Cascade Creek) | CPW | San Juan | Active |
BLM: Bureau of Land Management
CPW: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
WRA: Western Resource Advocates