MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKCO) - The Bureau of Reclamation has been taking bids to build ponds at Horsethief Canyon, about 14 miles west of Fruita. The plan is to fill these ponds with several endangered fish species, allowing them to grow, and to protect themselves against predators.

The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and several other agencies in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, are working together on the Upper Colorado Recovery Program. The plan is to restore 4 native fish populations to the Grand Valley. According to biologists with the project, the Humpback Chub, Colorado Pikeminnow, Razorback Sucker, and Bonytail Chub have been swimming in the Upper Colorado River for centuries.

The Razorback Sucker and the Colorado Pikeminnow are being raised at a fish hatchery on 24 Road. The Razorback is a very distinct-looking fish, with a rich history throughout the Grand Valley.

Fish Biologist Brian Sheer says, "What's cool about them is they're a very long-lived fish. They've been here through the valley for 3 to 5 million years."

Sheer, who works for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, says by Federal Law, the organization is required to protect and recover endangered species. Through the recovery program, biologists are trying to build ponds to aid the recovery of these fish. They are raised from hatchlins at the hatchery, then once they reach a certain size, they will be moved to the ponds at Horsethief Canyon, where their health and numbers will be monitored.

Scheer says many of these fish are found only through the river system of Colorado, and serve many environmental roles. He says the health of these fish reflects the health of the river.

Fish Culturist Mike Gross says his relatives have told stories about the Pikeminnow and Razorback. He says his uncle would go down to the river and pitchfork large Pikeminnows, then feed them to his pigs. They were also a staple for hungry families.

Gross says it would be a shame to let these species go extinct in just a few decades after so many centuries.

He says the Upper Colorado Recovery Program, and the 24 Road Hatchery have already had success. "Since this facility came online, we have stocked well over a quarter million Razorback Suckers into the Colorado River and it's tributaries."

Brent Uilenberg with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says, "The goal is to have the 4 Colorado River fish species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act de-listed by 2023."

The contract to build the ponds at Horsethief Canyon is open to bidders. It was first offered to HUD contractors, then open to all bidders. The hatchery is operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and runs on nearly 100 percent recycled water provided by Ute Water.

According to Uilenberg, building ponds to monitor these species will allow regional water users to keep more water for themselves. He says, Responsibility for complying with the Endangered Species Act would be borne by all water users that use water from the Colorado River which includes farmers as well as M&I water suppliers. In other parts of the country, this has resulted in farmers and other water users being limited in the amount of water they can use."

Biologists say historically, the Colorado Pikeminnow has grown to 6 feet in length no other place on earth but the Grand Valley. This made them a hot commodity to not only hungry families in the area, but also thrill-seeking anglers.

If the species is de-listed by 2023, anglers can catch once again catch these fish for sport. As an endangered species, it is currently illegal to harm the fish in any way.