Overview

• An Upper Colorado River Commission meeting this week produced no progress on rules to govern the river after August 2026.
• Upper Basin negotiators opposed Lower Basin demands for mandatory, verifiable cuts and restrictions on future development, with Wyoming warning the proposals would forfeit promised uses.
• Lower Basin representatives said they are not seeking to halt growth but want all seven states to commit to measurable reductions.
• If a high-level framework is not signaled by Nov. 11, the Bureau of Reclamation will begin developing a federal plan, with detailed state proposals otherwise due Feb. 14.
• A new report by basin researchers urged immediate conservation as Lake Mead sits about 31% full and Lake Powell risks levels that could complicate downstream releases and hydropower.