Colorado lawmakers are pressing the Biden administration to offer payments to Native American tribes that are unable to use their full share of the Colorado River, arguing the groups should be compensated for reducing pressure on the drought-stricken waterway. Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with Colorado’s Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, issued the plea Monday in a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation. “We strongly encourage you to explore other avenues for Colorado’s Tribal Nations to pursue funding related to drought response, recognizing that they are currently forgoing their water use not by choice, but resulting from a history of inequity reflected in their long-term lack of infrastructure,” the elected officials wrote.

Other tribal water and water negotiations articles:

• The Colorado Sun: Tribes won’t be paid for unused water through a federal fund. Colorado lawmakers want that to change.
• The Center Square: Major water funding announced ahead of Biden’s Gila River Indian Community visit
• The Las Vegas Review-Journal: What Are They Hiding?: Behind closed doors, the Colorado River’s future hangs in the balance