The standoff over the Colorado River’s future continues. Hundreds of people gathered in a Las Vegas conference room Thursday to get a much anticipated glimpse into negotiations over the river’s future management from seven state officials. What they heard was oft-repeated talking points, finger-pointing and disagreements over basic facts. … The Colorado River has been stretched thin, overused and beset by over two decades of drought. The state negotiations are part of a long federal process to replace the current management rules, which expire in 2026 and outline how two key reservoirs, lakes Mead and Powell, store and release water in wet and dry years. The outcome of that federal process will decide how the water supply for 40 million people will be managed for years to come.

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• Nevada Current: Upper and lower basin states hit tough impasse at annual Colorado River conference
• Arizona Republic: Colorado River states fear a long legal battle as talks falter over shortage rules
• Las Vegas Sun: As clock ticks down on deadline for new Colorado River agreement, Lower Basin states pound the table for conservation
• Aspen Journalism: Water managers deadlocked on Colorado River
• Las Vegas Review-Journal: Water negotiators spar as time runs out to stabilize Colorado River
• Fox 5 KVVU-TV Las Vegas: Conference seeks alternatives, additional solutions to receding Colorado River water resources
• The Salt Lake Tribune: Opinion: We represent the Upper Basin states, and it’s time we manage the Colorado River we have — not the one we want