Western Mayors Urge Federal and State Action to Tackle Colorado River Water Scarcity

June 18, 2025 – LA Times

The West’s ‘Climate Mayors’ call for federal help as Colorado River flows decline

A coalition of Western city leaders, Climate Mayors, has released a new set of proposals urging stronger federal and state action on water scarcity, as climate change continues to reduce flows in the Colorado River and other critical water sources.

Who are Climate Mayors?
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 U.S. mayors working to accelerate local climate solutions and advocate for supportive state and federal policies. In this case, mayors from across the Western U.S. developed recommendations focused specifically on water scarcity and the Colorado River Basin.

What they’re calling for (key proposals):

Protect and expand federal funding for water programs and infrastructure, including wastewater recycling and local stormwater capture projects.

Stronger federal leadership (especially through the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation) to support sustainable management of the Colorado River system.

New rules for managing shortages after 2026 that include durable, long-term, and proportionate measures across all sectors of water use.

More consistent state-led coordination that brings together cities, agricultural water agencies, Tribal nations, and other stakeholders to set shared goals and identify solutions.

Continued emphasis on conservation and efficiency, building on successful city efforts like turf-replacement rebates, water recycling, and strategies to reduce demand.

Overall, the message is clear: addressing water scarcity in the West will require regional collaboration and public investment, with local, state, and federal leaders working together to stretch existing supplies and reduce conflict over a shrinking river.

Read the full article here.