In an innovative and groundbreaking effort, in 2019 the Colorado Water Trust (“CWT”), the Grand Valley Water Users Association (“Association”), and the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (“District”) struck a deal designed to improve the habitat of the Colorado River’s endangered fish at critical times of year. In 2020 CWT, the Association, and the District renewed their 2019 agreement, building on the success of the project during its first year of operation. Under the agreement, water secured by CWT from upstream sources is to be delivered to and used in the Grand Valley Power Plant, a nearly century-old off-channel hydropower facility in Palisade, operated by the Association and District. Once run through the plant’s turbines, the water is released back into the Colorado River’s 15-Mile Reach to benefit native endangered fish, including the humpback chub and Colorado pikeminnow (the largest minnow in North America).