Bill · H.R. 5911· House(119-HR-5911)
Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act
- Introduced
- 11/4/2025
- Last activity
- 6/3/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Hurd
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a specific federal land parcel, known as Crystal Reservoir, and its associated infrastructure and water rights to the City of Ouray, Colorado. The bill outlines that the Secretary will generally pay the costs associated with the conveyance, while the City will pay for any required surveys. Once the transfer is complete, the City must maintain the land as open space for public recreational activities like fishing without charging access fees. Additionally, the City assumes all future responsibilities and costs for repairs, operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of the dam and related infrastructure. If the City fails to use the land in accordance with the specified terms and conditions, the land may revert back to the United States at the Secretary's discretion.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The Act requires the land to be held as open space for public recreational access without any fees.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+5
The Act transfers the financial responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the reservoir and dam infrastructure from the federal government to the City of Ouray.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+3
The City of Ouray receives land and water rights that can be used for various beneficial purposes.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Under Section 2(e)(1)(B), the City of Ouray is required to maintain the federal land in perpetuity as open space and hold it open for public access for recreational activities, including fishing, without charging any recreational access fee. This benefits the public by ensuring free and continued recreational use of the area.
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Under Section 2(c)(3) and Section 2(d)(1), except for survey costs, the conveyance is to be completed at no cost to the City, and the Secretary shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance. This provision prevents local taxpayers from bearing the initial financial burden of the property transfer.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Under Section 2(e)(1)(A), the City must assume responsibility for the costs of all repairs, operations, maintenance, replacement, rehabilitation, and regulatory compliance relating to Full Moon Dam and related infrastructure. This could potentially create a financial burden for the local taxpayers of Ouray if major repairs or regulatory compliances become expensive over time.
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Under Section 2(d)(2), the City is required to pay all costs associated with any surveys conducted for the purpose of accomplishing the conveyance. This places a direct upfront financial requirement on the local government and its residents.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Urban Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2
- 6/3/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 6/2/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3752-3753)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3752-3753)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5911.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3752-3754)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 5/20/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-662.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 576.
- 4/21/2026
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2/10/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2/3/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 11/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.