Our 2026 Colorado River Water Leaders cohort completed its seven-month program recently with policy recommendations to strengthen ”assigned water” programs across the Colorado River Basin. “Assigned water” has become a key tool for conserving Colorado River water and helping to stabilize Lake Mead to prevent shortages. Originally developed as “Intentionally Created Surplus” within the 2007 Interim Guidelines, it gives users the ability to store conserved water earmarked for their own future use. The cohort was tasked with assessing existing assigned water programs and identifying opportunities across the Colorado River Basin. Read the full report.