After years of drought, four states with Colorado River rights want credit for water conservation through the federal government.

 

Colorado River officials have voted to explore water conservation credits as a strategic measure to safeguard against future drought years after decades of uncertainty. A plan as to how to implement credits is expected to be released by the end of September. This decision comes as current water management rules are set to expire in 2026. Conservation projects would be launched in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
The proposal is designed to address questions about tracking and storing conserved water, the definition of credits, and economic and future preservation impacts.

At the time of publication, water managers moved forward with a plan to track and receive credit for water as the Upper Colorado River Commission voted unanimously to move forward with the creation of a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that would provide credit to the Upper Basin states (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) much like the System Conservation Pilot Program, where users were paid to use less water.