Arizona: Governor Katie Hobbs, Governor Joe Lombardo, and Governor Gavin Newsom Release Joint Statement on Colorado River Deadline

Phoenix, AZ ~ Phoenix, AZ - As the federal deadline for Colorado River negotiations looms, Lower Basin Governors Katie Hobbs, Joe Lombardo, and Gavin Newsom have released a joint statement expressing their concerns and commitment to finding a resolution.

The deadline for a consensus agreement on managing the Colorado River after 2026 has passed for a second time without any resolution. This has raised the stakes for the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada. These states account for approximately 75% of the population, employment, and agricultural crop sales in the Colorado River Basin. Additionally, 25 of the 30 sovereign Tribal Nations that reside within the Basin are also included in this group.

In their statement, the governors emphasized the importance of the Colorado River to their communities and economies. They also highlighted their efforts in conserving large volumes of water in recent years to stabilize the basin's water supplies for years to come.

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To secure a seven-state agreement for post-2026 management of the river, Arizona has offered to reduce its Colorado River allocation by 27%, California by 10%, and Nevada by nearly 17%. The governors reiterated their stance that all seven basin states must share in the responsibility of conservation. They also emphasized their willingness to compromise and have offered significant flexibility to allow states without robust conservation programs time to gradually develop these programs in ways that work best for each state.

The governors stressed that any future management of the Colorado River must be built on a foundation of shared contribution and innovation. They called on all water users within the basin to stretch themselves in conserving water. The governors reaffirmed their commitment to finding a collaborative solution while protecting their respective water users.

As negotiations continue ahead of the federal deadline, it remains to be seen if all seven basin states will reach an agreement that satisfies everyone's needs. However, one thing is clear - these Lower Basin governors are determined to find a solution that ensures sustainable management of the Colorado River for years to come.

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