The seven Colorado River basin states, including Wyoming, missed a Tuesday federal deadline to reach a preliminary agreement on managing the river’s dwindling water supply. Even so, there could be one last chance. In June, when the Nov. 11 deadline was set for a preliminary agreement, the Department of Interior also demanded a final agreement by mid-February 2026. So, now representatives from the states and federal officials are placing their bets on a consensus being reached by then. If not, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum might be forced to decree a new set of operating plans for the river, regardless of what the states want.

Other Colorado River negotiations news:

• AP News: Deadline passed, Arizona governor says Colorado River headwater states uncommitted to conservation
• Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah): Colorado River states missed a deadline. Now what?
• Ark Valley Voice (Salida, Colo.): Colorado River negotiations fail to meet November 11 deadline
• Daily Independent (Sun City, Ariz.): Tribal leader’s statement on Colorado River negotiations
• The Nature Conservancy: News release: Response to Colorado River Basin states’ not reaching a consensus agreement for river management by the Bureau of Reclamation deadline