Rep. Greg Stanton, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, posted a series of statements on November 12, 2025, highlighting the unresolved negotiations among Colorado River basin states regarding new operating rules for water usage beyond 2026.
In his first post, Stanton wrote: “Today is the federally-imposed deadline for the seven Colorado River basin states to agree on new operating rules for 2026 and beyond. This deadline has arrived without a resolution. 40 million Americans depend on this river for water, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.” (November 12, 2025)
He continued in a subsequent message: “The Lower Basin has done our part, offering a framework where cuts are automatic, predictable, and shared. The question now is whether the Upper Basin states will meet us halfway, or whether they’ll continue pretending the river can deliver water it simply doesn’t have.” (November 12, 2025)
Stanton further addressed the broader policy context and federal leadership in his third tweet: “Any proposal that doesn’t require every basin state to share in conservation is pure fantasy. Meanwhile, the president hasn’t even put forward a new nominee to lead the Bureau of Reclamation after yanking the last one over Upper Basin objections. We are running out of time.” (November 12, 2025)
The Colorado River provides essential water resources to about forty million people across seven western states. Disagreements between Upper and Lower Basin states over water allocation have persisted as drought conditions strain supplies.
Greg Stanton was re-elected to Congress in both 2022 and 2024 general elections against Kelly Cooper; he secured victory with approximately 56% of votes in 2022 and about 52.7% in 2024.
