The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) Act unanimously passed the Senate Tuesday, Dec. 16, by unanimous acclamation and will head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper sponsored the legislation, which will will help build the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), approved in 1962 as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, which is critical to managing Upper Arkansas Basin water supplies in Chaffee, Lake and Fremont counties.
“This lowers the interest rate and provides more flexibility in payment. … This relieves a huge challenge to these communities, many of whom must now rely on contaminated drinking water,” said Sen. Bennet.
Bennet and Hickenlooper were joined by Representatives Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd, who secured passage of an identical bill in the House of Representatives in July.
The bill reduces interest payments and allows for a federal determination of economic hardship to relieve payment obligations. A statement by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District confirms, “This will allow local communities more flexibility to finish their investments in this critical project.”
According to the Southeastern District’s statement, the District “sought the legislation in 2024, after the estimated cost of the project doubled because of inflation in the construction industry.”
“We cannot thank Colorado’s Congressional delegation enough for the effort they put into making this bill a reality,” said Bill Long, President of the Southeastern District board. “The AVC has always enjoyed bipartisan support, but this effort was simply above and beyond in terms of importance to the people of Southeastern Colorado.”
Upon completion, the Arkansas Valley Conduit will provide access to clean water to 50,000 residents in 39 communities in Southeast Colorado, including Pueblo, Bent, Prowers, Kiowa and Baca Counties. The project was authorized in 1962 and was delayed because of the cost to the participants. AVC Construction began in 2023, and continues to progress.
Featured Image: This map from the Bureau of Reclamation shows the route of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, which will provide contaminant-free water to communities in the lower Arkansas River Basin some 65 years after it was approved during the John F. Kennedy administration.
