The seven Colorado River basin states, including Wyoming, missed a Tuesday federal deadline to reach a preliminary agreement on managing the river’s dwindling water supply.

Even so, there could be one last chance. In June, when the Nov. 11 deadline was set for a preliminary agreement, the Department of Interior also demanded a final agreement by mid-February 2026.

So, now representatives from the states and federal officials are placing their bets on a consensus being reached by then.

If not, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum might be forced to decree a new set of operating plans for the river, regardless of what the states want.

The main point of friction is between the Upper Basin states and Lower Basin states. The Upper Basin includes Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. The Lower B

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