Colorado River Coalition Calls for $2B Federal Drought Response Funding
A coalition of over 70 organizations, including water agencies, agricultural groups, conservation organizations, and Tribal entities, is urging Congress to allocate at least $2 billion in federal funding to address severe drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin. The region, which provides water to 35 million people, is facing critical challenges such as declining reservoir levels, aging infrastructure, and risks to hydropower generation. Lake Powell, a key reservoir, is nearing operational thresholds that could disrupt hydropower output, prompting emergency measures like reduced water releases from Glen Canyon Dam. The proposed funding aims to support drought mitigation, water conservation, infrastructure modernization, and long-term resilience efforts. Major utilities like Denver Water and San Diego County Water Authority, along with conservation groups such as The Nature Conservancy, are among the signatories advocating for immediate action. 
