Hickenlooper Statement on Colorado River Negotiations

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement on the Colorado River negotiations.

"We've seen how hard this long, 25-year drought has hit the Basin. In Colorado, the river powers our local economies, our farms, and our communities. The only real path to managing the long-term aridification of the West is a seven-state agreement.

"Everyone from the Upper Basin to the Lower Basin knows how high the stakes are, but we don't know how litigation would play out if agreement cannot be reached. Taking this to court would waste precious resources and could hurt everyone.

"This crisis won't solve itself. We have to find a way forward - together."

As governor, Hickenlooper helped negotiate the 2019 Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, which helped protect critical levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead and ensured continued compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. In the Senate, Hickenlooper convened the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus to help address the Colorado River crisis.

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