KREX (April 22, 2026)—Colorado is bracing for a significant water struggle, with Commissioner Rebecca Mitchell representing Colorado’s Upper Basin, recently visiting the Western Slope to discuss the Colorado River’s health.
This year is marked as one of the worst for hydrology on record, driven by a lack of winter snow and critically low reservoir levels.
The severe conditions stem from low snowpack and extreme temperatures in March, impacting not only Colorado but the entire Colorado River basin.
Mitchell representing Colorado’s Upper Basin, described the situation as “dire.” She noted it “is a dire situation not just for Colorado, but the entire Colorado River basin, which spans seven states and two countries.”
Mitchell representing Colorado’s Upper Basin, highlighted the gravity of the situation during her visit.
“This year is an especially difficult year,” Mitchell said. “What we’re seeing this year on the ground is that this is one of the worst years for hydrology that we have that on record. And so that’s going to require all Coloradans to step up.”
She further noted that she has never witnessed the Colorado River in its current state.
The agricultural sector, a vital component of the Western Slope’s economy, faces significant challenges.
Mitchell warned of the impact, stating, “What we’re seeing is numbers coming out where folks know that fields will be followed, that rivers will be dry, ditch it, rivers and ditches will be dry. And that means that people are going to be impacted and they’re going to be impacted on the ground. AG is the lifeblood, particularly on the Western Slope and so we see that that’s going to be impacted.”
The Colorado Water Trust, a nonprofit organization, is actively working to boost river flows for environmental purposes.
Executive Director Kate Ryan for the Colorado Water Trust, explained their method: “what we do to get water back in rivers for environmental purposes is through water sharing.”
This involves securing agreements with farmers to leave water in rivers for compensation instead of using it for crops. Ryan acknowledged the difficulty of this year’s efforts, noting there is “not a lot of water to go around.”
The trust plans to lease water from reservoirs this year to support local fish and the economy, recognizing the vital role agricultural producers play in river health.
To address the crisis, the Colorado River District is developing a proactive strategy. Lindsay DeFrates, deputy director of communications and public information officer for the Colorado River District, detailed their approach.
“The Colorado River district is trying to come up with a plan that that builds in a buffer that allows for better decision making time for these organizations, entities, irrigators, municipalities, growers throughout the valley and throughout the whole Western Slope,” DeFrates said.
The district serves a 15-county area and aims to protect and conserve water resources for its taxpayers. Potential watering restrictions may limit municipal access to one or two days a week.
The district is also asking its board for up to $450,000 from a grant program to help maintain water supplies for users. DeFrates explained that the severity of the spring and winter conditions surprised experts.
“The summer that the snowpack and the extreme temperatures in March set everyone on their heels. Nobody was able to see this coming. This was something that even the best laid plans could not prepare for. The extremity of the spring and the dryness of the winter that we had,” DeFrates added.
The Colorado River District is seeking up to $450,000 from a grant program from its board to help maintain water supplies for users. Potential watering restrictions may limit municipal access to one or two days a week.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WesternSlopeNow.com. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WesternSlopeNow.com staff before being published.
Author: Kyle Kawamoto
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