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A Deal is Made on the Colorado River but Still a "No Deal" for Homeownersand Communities in Need of Renewable Water Now and Into the Future
Cutting annual water use from the Colorado River by up to 3 million acre-feet per year is the focus of an agreement reached among Western states that rely on the river for water and power. This eleventh-hour deal forestalls even more drastic, federally mandated cuts.
This agreement, according to media reports, includes $1.2 billion in compensation to irrigation districts, cities, and Native American tribes for using less water. The deal will also require additional – and very significant – reductions in residential, farming, and ranching users in California, Nevada, and Arizona.
The Colorado River provides water for 40 million Americans in seven states and electricity for millions.
Experts warned that this agreement is just one step forward in the process that will be ongoing for many years to come, with negotiations beginning on next steps when this current agreement expires in three years. States that depend on the Colorado River – including Colorado – could see additional restrictions as the decline in the river is expected to continue.
This provides yet another warning signal for fast-growing communities, such as Douglas County and other Front Range counties, to rapidly take stock of current water resources and ensure adequate supply for existing and projected needs through mid-century at least.
In addition, water-wise planners are looking at acquiring renewable water that doesn’t require extensive, and expensive, treatment to be brought up to needed quality standards.
Douglas County and other communities should set a goal of obtaining 100 percent of its water from renewable sources by 2035.
Postponing reality is never a wise policy choice, and elected officials along the Front Range are increasingly aware that the time is now to step out on realistic, affordable, and conservative water solutions.
Recent Headlines
A Breakthrough Deal to Keep the Colorado River From Going Dry, for Now
The agreement on cuts, aided by a wet winter and $1.2 billion in federal payments, expires at the end of 2026
Arizona, California and Nevada have agreed to take less water from the drought-strained Colorado River, a breakthrough agreement that, for now, keeps the river from falling so low that it would jeopardize water supplies for major Western cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles as well as for some of America’s most productive farmland.
The agreement, announced Monday, calls for the federal government to pay about $1.2 billion to irrigation districts, cities and Native American tribes in the three states if they temporarily use less water. The states have also agreed to make additional cuts beyond the ones tied to the federal payments to generate the total reductions needed to prevent the collapse of the river.
...The agreement struck over the weekend runs only through the end of 2026 and still needs to be formally adopted by the federal government. At that point, all seven states that rely on the river — which include Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — could face a deeper reckoning, as its decline is likely to continue.
...The greater challenge will be reaching a deal after 2026, when the federal government may not be willing to provide as much funding to conserve water, and states won’t be able to count on more winters of heavy rain and snowfall. 'We know that the future is going to be drier than the past,' Mr. Hasencamp (manager of Colorado River resources for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) said.
The Colorado River deal won't be enough to save the river long term, experts say
There are winners and losers in the new landmark deal to avert a water shortage crisis on the Colorado River. But experts say it doesn't go far enough and no one should be celebrating.
Did you know? The 2023 Douglas County Voter Opinion Poll shows voters are concerned about water. 96% say they want an adequate water supply that meets the longterm needs of residents and 77% say Douglas County should centrally coordinate many water issues now administered by multiple water districts.
Upcoming News from DCFF
Every other week, DCFF will report on important news and challenges impacting our community. We hope you will stay engaged and connected with us.
