High county conservation center, located in summit county, colorado, in partnership with the town of frisco, colorado, will update the 2018 blue river watershed regional water efficiency plan and…

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $471,466 to the High Country Conservation Center under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507) on July 22, 2025, for a planning and design grant extending through March 31, 2028. In partnership with the Town of Frisco and other stakeholders, the Center will update the 2018 Blue River Watershed Regional Water Efficiency Plan and develop updated water efficiency plans for the Town of Frisco, Town of Dillon, Town of Breckenridge, and Cooper Mountain Consolidated Metropolitan District. This effort responds to declining snowpack levels, rising temperatures, and increased water diversions that have constrained local water availability.

The project deliverables include convening an advisory committee representing key stakeholder groups including local governments, the U.S. Forest Service, business groups, and recreation organizations to provide input on water conservation priorities. The Center will analyze historical conservation progress, identify current challenges and opportunities, update supply and demand data for existing water systems, evaluate past water management strategies against future supply needs, and conduct an economic benefits analysis to prioritize water conservation projects for implementation. These planning outputs will support evidence-based decision-making by participating municipalities and districts to address regional water sustainability challenges.

High county conservation center, located in summit county, colorado, in partnership with the town of frisco, colorado, will update the 2018 blue river watershed regional water efficiency plan and the water efficiency plans for the town of frisco, town of dillon, town of breckenridge, and cooper mountain consolidated metropolitan district. Decreasing snowpack levels, increasing temperatures, and increased water diversions out of the watershed have reduced the amount of water available for local use, making conservation activities essential to meet needs of the community. The conservation center will engage an advisory committee to provide input from key stakeholder groups analyze water conservation progress under the existing conservation plans identify current water conservation challenges and opportunities update data on the existing water supply systems and current water demand analyze historical water management strategies and future water supply needs and conduct an economic benefits analysis to prioritize water conservation projects for implementation. Participants in this planning effort include local governments and agencies, business groups, the U.S. Forest service, and recreation groups.