Polis Demands 'Supply-Based' Colorado River Deal As Federal Talks Begin
Governor Jared Polis heads to Washington Thursday demanding a "supply-based, enforceable, and equitable" Colorado River agreement that protects state water authority as federal officials and Western governors negotiate post-2026 operations.
"Colorado is coming to Washington committed to an agreement that reflects real world water supplies and shares responsibility across all seven Basin states. I am fighting for Colorado water users and our way of life," Polis said in a statement released Wednesday.
His stance underscores how post-2026 shortage rules could squeeze Colorado's actual water supplies—even without changing the state's legal percentage under the 1948 Colorado River Compact.
Under that Compact, Colorado holds 51.75 percent of the Upper Basin's consumptive-use share—a percentage, not a fixed amount. The state currently uses about 2.2 million acre-feet annually, well below its theoretical entitlement, with the entire Upper Basin consuming roughly 4 million acre-feet.
Federal proposals would reduce water available to Colorado in some years by converting saved Upper Basin water to stabilize Lower Basin lakes. These conservation pools and conversion rules could redirect conserved water to help meet Lower Basin shortages or protect Lake Powell elevations.
Lake Powell measured 9.142 million acre-feet as of September 30, 2024—about 39.2 percent of capacity—while Lake Mead sat at 8.707 million acre-feet, roughly 33.3 percent of capacity. That depletion underscores why these negotiations matter as the 2007 Interim Guidelines expire at the end of this decade.
The Colorado-Big Thompson Project's Alva B. Adams Tunnel delivers approximately 210,630 acre-feet annually to Larimer and Weld county communities and agriculture. Any framework diverting more conserved water to support Lower Basin lakes could reduce these transmountain diversions in dry years.
"I look forward to working with Interior and Basin partners to develop a better way to protect the river, respect our state authority, and provide long-term certainty for so many people and communities who depend on the mighty Colorado River," Polis said.
Colorado has invested heavily in conservation while honoring existing water rights and interstate compacts as the talks begin, according to Polis's statement.