Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act would modify the financial terms for communities in Colorado's Arkansas River Valley that receive water through the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a pipeline delivering water from the Pueblo Reservoir. Currently, these communities must repay the Bureau of Reclamation for construction costs with interest. If enacted, this bill would remove interest payments and extend the repayment period to 100 years, significantly reducing the annual financial burden on participating communities.

This legislation is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in the Senate in January 2025 and referred to committee. The practical effect of this bill, if it becomes law, would be lower water infrastructure costs for residents and businesses in the Arkansas Valley region who depend on the conduit for their water supply. The extended repayment timeline and elimination of interest would make the project more affordable for local governments and water districts in the affected communities.