Continued disagreement over which states must absorb the pain of future cuts to water supplies drawn from the drought-stricken Colorado River could upend negotiations just two months before a federal deadline, key state officials are warning. Top Arizona water officials are demanding that the four Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — commit to future reductions in their own water use in any agreement on a new long-term operating plan for the river. The divisive warnings come in the wake of some progress this summer, in which all seven states coalesced around a plan known as “natural flow.” 

Other Colorado River Basin news:

• Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Tribal leaders huddle with feds in push for landmark Arizona water deal