A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers wants water users in four Colorado River Basin states to have more time to cut water use through a much-debated conservation program that pays water users to cut back. The lawmakers, including Democratic Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet of Colorado, are hoping to extend funding for the System Conservation Pilot Program, saying it will help people explore more ways to respond to prolonged drought in the overstressed river basin. But some Colorado water experts question whether the program can actually deliver on its promises, and even if Congress approves the bill, time is short for potential participants to put their ideas into action before the summer growing season.

Related Colorado River funding articles:

• The Denver Post: Colorado River’s “essential” conservation program, now lapsed, faces Trump spending freeze. Can lawmakers bring it back?
• Colorado Public Radio: The Colorado River District was awarded up to $40 million to protect the Western Slope’s ‘top water priority.’ But will they get it under Trump?
• House Committee on Natural Resources news release: In first legislative hearing, members consider solutions for Western water issues and undersea cable construction
• KSL News Radio (Salt Lake City): Feds directed $122.8M in drought spending across Utah. Will it be held up by freeze?
• KSL News Radio: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources gets $37.2 million in grants for habitat restoration projects
• KKCO (Grand Junction, Colo.): Conservation organizations were selected to receive nearly $5 million in federal funding
• Telluride Daily Planet: District receives federal funding for drought mitigation
• Arizona Republic: Opinion: Feds spent months on a mostly useless plan to save the Colorado River
• Durango Herald: Editorial: Southwest Colorado drought projects must be funded