U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Colorado Democrats, introduced a bill to give Crystal Lake, a federal reservoir, to the city of Ouray.

In 2024, the U.S. Forest Service, the current owner, drained the lake after inspections raised concerns about a crack and seepage at its aging dam, which sits upstream of Ouray. The dam is rated as a high-hazard dam, which means the agency determined there would be a probable loss of life if it failed or malfunctioned.

But the decision to drain the reservoir left some locals baffled . The city of Ouray had an agreement with the Forest Service to store water in the reservoir, a water supply that is key for local economic engines, like the Ouray Hot Springs. The reservoir, located in southwestern Colorado, is a major draw for tourist

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