Three Republicans and four Democrat senators introduced legislation Wednesday to extend a program aimed at recovering endangered fish in the upper Colorado River Basin.
The legislation would extend the program until 2023. It includes three states, including Colorado, in the program that was designed to recover the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker and the humpback and bonytail chubs.
The program was established in 1988 as a way of recovering the fish while also allowing development of the river on the Western Slope, in Utah and downstream.
It's "a great example of a partnership between federal, state, and local agencies to promote conservation," Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said in a statement.
The bill "provides the resources to continue recovery efforts in the Upper Colorado River and to ensure that these endangered fish species are protected for years to come," Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said.
Program officials had voiced optimism that they might be able to remove the pikeminnow from the endangered species list, but told The Daily Sentinel that the pikeminnow is falling prey to walleye in the Colorado River below the Grand Valley.
Predation by walleye is a setback to the hopes of removing the pikeminnow from the endangered species list or "downlisting" it as threatened.
The bill also was introduced by Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, both New Mexico Democrats.
A Utah Republican elected this month, John Curtis, introduced companion legislation in the House.
Thunderstorms likely early. Lows overnight in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 45%
Sunrise:06:23:43 AM
Sunset:08:13:59 PM
Humidity: 47%
Wind: ESE @ 17 mph
UV Index: 0 Low
Thursday Night
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 68F. ESE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Fri
15%
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FriFriday
94°/68°
Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 15%
Sunrise:06:24:38 AM
Sunset:08:12:44 PM
Humidity: 32%
Wind: S @ 10 mph
UV Index: 9 Very High
Friday Night
Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Sat
19%
68°
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SatSaturday
95°/68°
Plenty of sun. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 19%
Sunrise:06:25:32 AM
Sunset:08:11:28 PM
Humidity: 32%
Wind: SSW @ 11 mph
UV Index: 9 Very High
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Sun
22%
68°
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SunSunday
91°/68°
A few clouds. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 22%
Sunrise:06:26:27 AM
Sunset:08:10:11 PM
Humidity: 35%
Wind: SW @ 10 mph
UV Index: 9 Very High
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Mon
38%
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MonMonday
90°/67°
Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 38%
Sunrise:06:27:22 AM
Sunset:08:08:54 PM
Humidity: 39%
Wind: SW @ 9 mph
UV Index: 8 Very High
Monday Night
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Tue
24%
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TueTuesday
89°/67°
Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 24%
Sunrise:06:28:17 AM
Sunset:08:07:35 PM
Humidity: 38%
Wind: S @ 9 mph
UV Index: 8 Very High
Tuesday Night
Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Wed
24%
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WedWednesday
92°/67°
Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
Chance of Rain: 24%
Sunrise:06:29:12 AM
Sunset:08:06:15 PM
Humidity: 37%
Wind: SSW @ 8 mph
UV Index: 8 Very High
Wednesday Night
Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
