Analyst Brief June 01, 2026

H.R. 5911 — Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, as amended

Current Status

Reported by Committee

Executive Summary

H.R. 5911 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 45 acres of Forest Service land, including the Crystal Reservoir and Full Moon Dam, to the City of Ouray, Colorado. The bill transfers ownership and associated water rights to the city, allowing local control over critical water infrastructure while shifting the financial and regulatory burden of dam maintenance away from the federal government. In exchange, the city must maintain the land as fee-free public open space and assumes all liability, with a reversionary clause protecting federal interests if conditions are violated.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Mr. HURD (R-CO)

Bill Number

H.R. 5911

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

None
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Reduces federal liability and maintenance backlogs by transferring aging dam infrastructure to the local municipality that relies on it.
  • Secures local water rights and operational control for the City of Ouray, enabling faster, localized decision-making for critical infrastructure.
  • Guarantees perpetual, fee-free public access to recreational lands, securing a win for outdoor enthusiasts and local tourism.

Likely Supporters

City of OurayColorado Water CongressLocal recreational and fishing groups

Arguments Against

  • Transfers significant financial and regulatory burdens (dam safety compliance) to a small municipality, which could struggle with major capital repair costs.
  • Strict public lands advocates generally oppose the privatization or transfer of federal lands to non-federal entities, viewing it as a slippery slope.
  • Environmental groups may express concern over potential impacts to upstream wetlands, despite the bill's footprint expansion prohibitions.

Likely Opponents

Strict public lands advocacy groups

📋 Key Provisions

  • Conveys fee simple title of approximately 45 acres encompassing Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and associated infrastructure to the City of Ouray.
  • Transfers associated water rights to the city, including those decreed in 1942 for the Full Moon Ditch and Reservoir Number 10.
  • Requires the city to assume all costs for repairs, maintenance, and regulatory compliance for the dam and related infrastructure.
  • Mandates the land be held in perpetuity as open space for fee-free public recreational access, prohibiting commercial development.
  • Prohibits expanding the surface footprint of Crystal Reservoir if it would harm upstream wetlands, though deepening the reservoir is permitted.
  • Includes a reversionary clause returning the land to the U.S. if the city fails to comply with the conveyance terms.
  • Grants the city a perpetual easement for the Red Mountain Ditch for water diversion and delivery up to 6 cubic feet per second.
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Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 23

Conveys approximately 45 acres of land.

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"comprising approximately 45"

Claim Analysis Page 6, Line 5

City assumes responsibility for dam repair and maintenance costs.

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"to assume responsibility for the costs"

Claim Analysis Page 6, Line 20

Land must be kept open for fee-free recreational access.

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"not subject to any fee"

Claim Analysis Page 8, Line 19

Reversionary interest if terms are violated.

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"shall revert to the United States"