Water and environmental groups in southwestern Colorado have not heard a peep from the federal government since their $25.6 million grant got caught up in a widespread funding freeze, officials say. Southwestern Water Conservation District pulled together a unique collection of partners in 2024 to tap into an immense stack of federal cash for environmental projects in the Colorado River Basin. The partners were “ecstatic” Jan. 17 when they found out their application to fund 17 projects was accepted, Steve Wolff, district manager, said.  Three days later, President Donald Trump paused spending, and the district’s partnership has been in limbo ever since. Other Colorado groups are in the same boat with millions of dollars of awarded grant funding on the line. … The uncertainty has impacted a slew of environmental projects across the Upper Colorado River Basin — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Other Colorado River news:

• Spectrum 1 News: What is the U.S.-Mexico water treaty and why is it making headlines?
• The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah): Utah had a ‘relatively quiet’ year of water lawmaking. Two of its most important lakes are still struggling.
• Las Vegas Review-Journal: Editorial: Other states must follow Nevada’s lead on water re-use
• Arizona Republic (Phoenix): Arizona recycles more water than most Colorado River states, study finds