Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and the state’s top negotiator are heading to Washington, D.C., this week to battle with other states over how the Colorado River will be managed for years to come. A 19-year-old federal and state agreement for how to manage the basin’s largest reservoirs, lakes Mead and Powell, will expire this fall. … Mitchell said mandatory conservation for Colorado is a no-go. The state’s constitution preserves the right for Coloradans to put available water to beneficial use. Mandatory conservation would go against that, the state’s lawyers argue.

Other Colorado River news:

• Las Vegas Weekly (Nev.): Nevada and six other states approaching deadline to determine plan for Colorado River
• NBC Palm Springs (Calif.): California faces tough choices as federal water rules near expiration
• FOX5/KVVU (Las Vegas, Nev.): Video: Panel of experts discusses Colorado River water crisis with FOX5 Investigates
• Inside Sources: Blog: Federal overreach could jeopardize the Colorado River