Nebraska
Opinion: Colorado and Nebraska must negotiate, not litigate, a better path for the South Platte River
With warming temperatures, reduced snowpack and longer droughts across the western U.S., the policies and institutions that we rely upon to manage shared water resources are under strain.
For Colorado’s Front Range, the South Platte River sustains booming cities, vital industries and agricultural production. At the same time, Colorado must ensure that adequate supplies from the South Platte make their way downstream to Nebraska, under a century-old interstate compact that is under stress.
In July, Nebraska filed a U.S. Supreme Court lawsuit against Colorado over the South Platte River compact. Nebraska’s lawsuit is about defining and protecting its rights to a river that is increasingly stressed by drought and development. In a news conference on the lawsuit, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said: “We’re going to fight like heck … and we’re going to do it in the United States Supreme Court.” In discussing the lawsuit with community members in Julesburg in September, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said: “We cannot be afraid to litigate or fight for our rights in Colorado.”
Colorado on Wednesday filed a response brief, claiming that Nebraska’s case is not ripe for a Supreme Court case. (The high court has not yet decided if it will hear the case.)
Such lawsuits are nothing new, but they are notoriously time-consuming and costly. Rather than spending years in court, Nebraska and Colorado should take a cue from history and negotiate a settlement — one that reflects current realities and shared interests.
Conflicts are a perennial feature of interstate river basins, particularly when downstream states feel shortchanged. In the early-mid 1900s, states adopted compacts to address water disputes, but by the 1970s downstream states began to question upstream states’ compliance with their water delivery commitments and filed U.S. Supreme Court lawsuits to clarify and enforce required water deliveries.
Colorado, as an “upstream” state on seven interstate river compacts, is no stranger to Supreme Court lawsuits. Some of these lawsuits — such as on the Arkansas, Rio Grande and Republican rivers — were triggered by tributary groundwater pumping in upstream states that reduced river flows. Since the original compacts did not address groundwater, years of litigation ensued by Kansas and Texas against its upstream neighbors.
The South Platte River conflict raises a different issue, but one that is solvable: how to share winter river flows. Signed in 1923, the South Platte compact guarantees a share of water to Nebraska during irrigation season. In the fall and winter, both states may use river flows and Colorado is not required to deliver a defined amount of water to Nebraska, with one exception.
Nebraska can access a share of winter water under the compact if it completes a canal diverting water in Colorado and carrying it to Nebraska. Nebraska abandoned the canal project before the compact was adopted but recently revived the project. Without the canal, Nebraska fears that winter river flows will be entirely diverted by Colorado through efforts to build more storage reservoirs.
Nebraska is threatening to use eminent domain to acquire land in Colorado near the state line for the canal. This has raised serious concerns by Colorado landowners and farmers in Sedgwick County and would limit Colorado’s ability to use the waters of the South Platte.
The canal, while mentioned in the compact, is not necessary for Nebraska and Colorado to jointly manage and share river flows. While Colorado has urged the Supreme Court not to take up the case, the question is, what comes next?
We propose the states drop their posturing, sit down and negotiate a more collaborative solution to the challenges facing the South Platte basin.
Prior Supreme Court rulings have shown that states can — and should — develop shared management systems to adapt to changing conditions. These systems include deliveries and accounting for groundwater diversions, improved hydrologic modeling, monitoring water diversions and deliveries, and enforcement mechanisms. Such actions have proven effective in resolving conflicts and enhancing shared decision making.
Nebraska and Colorado have decades of experience managing shared rivers. Both states have claims to winter river flows and both want to invest in actively managing those flows for high valued uses and environmental protection.
Rather than fighting over a canal, they should invest in shared infrastructure — such as surface and groundwater storage — backed by joint monitoring, conflict resolution and enforcement procedures that neither state can unilaterally override.
How Nebraska and Colorado resolve their differences can set the stage for the next conflict in other river basins. As climate change intensifies and water becomes scarcer, regional cooperation will be essential.
Litigation may clarify legal rights, but it rarely builds trust or long-term solutions.
Nebraska and Colorado have an opportunity to demonstrate real leadership and show that collaboration is possible and preferable. The South Platte River and the people and ecosystems who depend on it deserve better than another courtroom battle. They deserve a future shaped by shared vision, not division.
Tanya Heikkila, of Denver, is a professor in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver, where she does research on conflict and collaboration in environmental governance.
Edella Schlager, of Tucson, Arizona, is a professor in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona and an expert in collaborative watershed management who was born and raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy. Learn how to submit a column. Reach the opinion editor at opinion@coloradosun.com.
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I recently read an article by Nate McHugh of SB Nation that stated the last two “sure things” to bring Nebraska football back failed. The first “thing” is back coaching at UCF, and the second “thing” is now wearing an Oregon uniform. Because these two “sure things” failed, McHugh points to them as reasons for Husker fan’s frustration. But did he miss the third reason? If I’m not mistaken, the hiring of Matt Rhule felt like one of those “sure things” as well. But after the ‘mythical’ year three and disappointment it became clear Rhule’s hiring was anything but a “sure thing” for success.
Because of that fans are torn how they feel about Rhule. I’m one of them. I catch myself saying Rhule is the right guy for Nebraska and then quickly point out that his overall record as a head coach is 66-62. Clearly mediocre compared to Kyle Whittingham (177-88) or James Franklin (104-45). But Rhule hasn’t stayed anywhere long enough to truly establish himself like Whittingham or Franklin either.
See what I mean, I’m quick to point out his shortcomings but still believe he can make the Huskers relevant again. Where Husker fans struggle is that Rhule has in fact taken us to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2015-2016 yet allowed his team to get curb stomped by Penn State, Iowa, and Utah to end the season.
So, fans are leery going into the 2026 season. What are we going to get considering the schedule? The Huskers get Indiana, Washington, and Ohio State at home, and Oregon, Illinois, and Iowa on the road. While no game is a sure win, if they can’t notch victories against Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers, then we’ll once again question if Rhule is the right man. Simply put, the fan base will be disappointed with another 6-6 season. Personally, with the coaching changes and improvement in talent, my expectation is a record of 7-5 or 8-4 on the season.
Tim Verghese of ‘Inside Nebraska’ got my attention last week when talking about fans giving recruits a negative vibe and possibly influencing their decision to commit to a program. He used Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M as an example. The fanbase was so negative about Fisher that it made recruits question how secure he was at A&M. Obviously recruits had reason to be worried.
Does that affect how I approach what I write or talk about? It does, but then again, I don’t think so much of myself to think it matters. I see myself as your typical fan. I’m just someone who shares their thoughts about Husker football. And frankly, like 50% or more of the fans, I’m torn between being supportive and negativity. We’ve been burned too many times and haven’t seen the things that we need to see to convince us a turnaround is about to happen. Whether it’s offense, defense, or beating the teams they are supposed to beat (Minnesota & Iowa) there just hasn’t been any consistency from Rhule’s teams. As fans we need to see Rhule’s teams win the games they are supposed to, then win the close games, and finally beat the teams they aren’t supposed to. Until we see Rhule’s teams take those steps, there will be doubt and a level of negativity.
As far as recruits are concerned, I don’t see Rhule going anywhere. He’s safe due to his contract, the investment being made on the stadium, and Trae Taylor making it clear he’s all ‘N’ as long as Matt Rhule is the head man. He may just be a senior in high school, but don’t think QB Trae Taylor doesn’t play a role here. He does. And I’m good with that. Taylor has the same expectations as the fans.
And no, those expectations aren’t too high. I’ve been a fan for over fifty years. The standard at Nebraska was set a long time ago. That standard hasn’t changed. Nebraska fans may be up and down on how they feel about Rhule, but they are consistent on their expectations. The standard is the standard and always will be.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
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The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Athletics announced Friday that the expansion of John Cook Arena is in full swing.
The Nebraska Athletics Capital Planning and Facilities Department posted to social media that the effort to modernize amenities and provide new seating options is well underway.
According to the athletic fund, the renovation will enhance Nebraska’s home-court advantage, modernize amenities and provide new premium and general seating options. This includes adding:
- New and improved seats with cup holders in each seat.
- A new centralized student section.
- New and improved courtside seating with both end court and side court locations available. The Courtside Lounge offers access pregame and during intermission and includes private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food, beverage and alcohol.
- New Loge Box seating with hospitality lounge with access pregame and during intermission, including access to private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage with a cash bar.
- Libero Club seating replaces the VIP seats. Located in the back row of the 100 level, seats include access to the Libero Club Lounge pregame and during intermission complete with televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and soft drinks with a cash bar.
- Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.
The Husker Athletic Fund announced the first-ever reseating and parking process in October 2025. It is timed to coincide with the renovation of the arena to increase overall capacity to 10,000.
For more information about the reseating process, click here.
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