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Upper basin governors urge caution on Colorado River water releases
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 10, 2026//
Colorado River, Glenwood Canyon. Deposit Photos
Colorado River, Glenwood Canyon. Deposit Photos
Upper basin governors urge caution on Colorado River water releases
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 10, 2026//
DENVER — Governors from four Upper Colorado River Basin states said proposed water releases from Flaming Gorge and other reservoirs must follow existing agreements and protect Lake Powell as drought conditions persist.
In Brief:
- Governors Jared Polis, Mark Gordon, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Spencer Cox issue joint statement
- Calls for compliance with 2019 drought response operations agreement
- Mandatory cuts to water rights in upper basin states due to reduced runoff
- Emphasis on balancing current needs with long-term water storage
Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah issued a joint statement Thursday addressing potential drawdowns amid what they described as one of the driest years on record.
“This is an unprecedented year on the Colorado River, and likely will be one of the worst on record,” the governors said. “A dry year like this reminds us of why it is critical that all who rely on this resource learn to live within its means.”
The governors said reduced runoff is triggering mandatory water rights cuts in the Upper Basin states, some dating back to the 1800s. Those reductions are uncompensated and are expected to affect water users, including tribal communities and local economies.
They said any federal releases from Flaming Gorge and other upstream reservoirs must comply with the 2019 Drought Response Operations Agreement and be used to maintain water levels at Lake Powell. The states also expect that any water released will be recovered after conditions improve.
The statement emphasized that releases should be carefully sized to balance current needs with long-term water storage, as ongoing drought conditions continue to strain supplies across the region.
The governors also pointed to broader impacts, including potential effects on jobs, recreation and local economies, and said all communities that rely on the river should adjust water use to available supply.
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