How Failing Negotiations Could Spiral Into a Bitter Fight over the Colorado River

How failing negotiations could spiral into a bitter fight over the Colorado River

Negotiators for seven states remain deeply divided over how to cut water use along the Colorado River. The chances of a court battle appear to be growing.

Colorado River Negotiators Are Nearly Out of Time and Snowpack

With another federal deadline only weeks away and record-low snowfall further drying out the watershed, states have begun talking about whether they are prepared for litigation.

Colorado River basin governors head to Washington, but lack of progress raises

Feb. 14: that's the next deadline for the seven states of the Colorado River to come up with agreement on how to manage the river once the current operating guidelines expire. The Bureau of Reclamation would like the next guidelines to be in place by

Arizona won’t cut Colorado River withdrawals without enforceable conservation promises

By Howard Fischer | Arizona Capitol Times Key Points: Arizona is embroiled in an interstate dispute over access to the Colorado River Gov. Katie Hobbs refuses to agree to any deal unless upper basin states offer firm water conservation plans Arizona has set aside $3 million for potential litigation over water rights On Feb. 2, Gov. Katie Hobbs made her position on the Colorado River clear. Either the “upper basin” states offer up a firm commitm…

State’s leading business group urges negotiators to find fair deal on Colorado River

As negotiations over the future of the Colorado River intensify and deadlines draw nearer, Arizona’s leading business organization is urging state leaders to hold firm for a fair, durable agreement that does not place a disproportionate burden on Arizona’s economy. Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden warned that current federal […]

Civil Servants Arrange Buffet for #ColoradoRiver Negotiators — Brian McNeece #COriver #aridification

Carly Jerla speaking at the Colorado River Water User’s Association Conference December 5, 2024. Photo credit: USBR From email from Brian McNeece: January 27, 2026 Colorado River negotiations have bogged down, but dozens of experts at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) have been streaming right along. On Jan. 14, the BOR released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is bureaucratese for a report on options for the negotiators afte…