The Colorado River, a vital water source for seven U.S. states, faces an uncertain future as current water-sharing agreements are set to expire in 2026. As states grapple with how to divide the river’s dwindling resources, the pressure mounts to establish new regulations before time runs out.
Despite the urgency, state leaders remain at odds, prompting a coalition of Colorado River experts to draft a letter with seven key recommendations for a sustainable water-sharing framework.
‘Shared Pain’
The letter, authored by a diverse group of academics and former policymakers, emphasizes a collective resolution to the ongoing water crisis. Acknowledging that not all parties will be pleased, the authors call for “shared pain,” a notion suggesting necessary reductions in water allocations to various sectors.
The Upper Basin states—Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico—and the Lower Basin states—California, Arizona, and Nevada—remain divided. Interestingly, contributors to the letter hail from both sides of this divide, including Eric Kuhn and Kathryn Sorensen, who have significant experience in Western water management.
The authors stress that “shared” adjustments won’t be uniform in scale or duration, advocating for a nuanced approach to water cutbacks.
The Lower Basin states have suggested mild reductions, while the Upper Basin argues against relinquishing any water. The letter challenges this stance, emphasizing the need for cooperation.
Anne Castle, one of the letter’s authors, explained to KUNC, “There’s lots of wonderful legal arguments about why it shouldn’t be me that needs to use less water, but in order to have a viable and politically viable agreement, everybody has to do a share.”
Other Recommendations
The letter also advises against relying excessively on federal funding as a solution. Federal funds have previously helped avert disaster, but their availability is uncertain under the current administration. The authors caution that future agreements shouldn’t presume taxpayer compensation for water sacrifices.
Additionally, the letter calls for greater inclusion of tribes in water policy decisions, reflecting earlier requests from tribal groups for more involvement. It also advocates for adaptable rules to safeguard river ecosystems, echoing similar sentiments from nonprofits.
The letter’s final recommendation underscores the necessity of ensuring sufficient water for public health and safety. “There must be absolute protection of domestic water deliveries for public health and safety,” it asserts, urging that essential drinking water supplies be prioritized over other uses.
The Reaction
Responses from water authorities in Arizona and Colorado align with traditional rhetoric. Arizona’s Tom Buschatzke agrees that all sectors must contribute to resolving the water imbalance.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s Becky Mitchell highlights the impact of climate change on Upper Basin water supplies, pointing out that these states already experience “mandatory and uncompensated” water reductions.
Jennifer Gimbel, a former Colorado water official, questions the feasibility of the proposed cutbacks, asking whether federal laws should override state laws to enforce them.
This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Colorado River, produced by KUNC in Colorado and supported by the Walton Family Foundation. KUNC is solely responsible for its editorial coverage.
—
Read More Arizona News
