Overview
- Governors met in Washington with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and left without a finalized agreement, with several officials now aiming to be on a path toward a deal by Feb. 14.
- Negotiators reported modest progress, including Upper Basin openness to firmer conservation commitments, yet Upper Basin leaders still reject mandatory cuts sought by Lower Basin states.
- Arizona’s lead negotiator floated a five‑year bridge agreement to buy time to build Upper Basin conservation programs and help Lower Basin users adjust to further reductions.
- If a state-led plan is not ready before current rules expire in October, the Bureau of Reclamation’s draft operating alternatives could be imposed, with scenarios that disproportionately reduce Central Arizona Project supplies.
- Arizona expanded its Colorado River litigation fund with a unanimous House vote and officials said they are prepared to test a never-used legal provision to secure water, as record-low early February snowpack heightens pressure on reservoirs.