Drought, exacerbated by hotter temperatures, declining levels of precipitation, dry soils, and overuse in the Lower Basin have put the state's namesake river - as well as our communities and economies - in peril. In SB23-295, the General Assembly charged the Task Force with providing recommendations for legislation to address drought in the Colorado River Basin and ensure the state can meet its interstate commitments related to the Colorado River and its tributaries. This report details eight recommendations from the Drought Task Force and four recommendations from the Sub-Task force on Tribal Affairs, as well as discussions of additional potential tools and programs to address drought.
