LAS VEGAS — Amid a stalemate over the future of the drought-stricken Colorado River, top state negotiators from across the West will meet at an annual gathering here this week along with the Biden administration officials who appear unlikely to forge an agreement before leaving office.
Federal, state and tribal officials, along with environmentalists, farmers and other major water users, are all descending on the city for the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) conference, which this year comes as former President Donald Trump is about to come back into the White House. Although they are not expected to reach a deal, the focus will be on the multistate agreement that needs to be secured by 2026 to govern the waterway’s long-term operations.
In a windowless conference center beneath an imitation Eiffel Tower — and a short distance from both booming water cannons outdoors at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino fountains and gondolas gliding through indoor canals at the Venetian hotel — attendees will discuss their very different visions for how to ensure the future of the 1,450-mile river.
With the continued acrimony between the two main regions — the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states — those talks could include the risks of a legal battle between states over the waterway’s dwindling supplies.
