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Lower Basin states reject agreement on management of Colorado River with Valentine’s Day deadline looming

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Lower Basin states reject agreement on management of Colorado River with Valentine’s Day deadline looming


One day before the deadline, states in the Upper Colorado River Basin reached consensus on how to manage water rights and dwindling resources moving forward, but the Lower Basin states rejected the plan as unfair.

Representatives from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, California, Nevada and Arizona have been working to reach a new agreement as demand and threats to the river’s water supply continue to increase. Management of Colorado River resources has been governed by the Colorado River Compact since 1922, but disputes over water use and resource constraints have led to lawsuits in recent years.

Low water level due to drought. View of Lake Mead from the Hoover Dam.

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The Bureau of Reclamation says several decision documents and agreements governing the river’s operation are set to expire at the end of this year. The western states have been working to renegotiate the water use pact for over two years and missed the November deadline to reach a new agreement. A new deadline was set for Feb. 14.

Representatives of the seven states entered talks in the nation’s capital at the end of January.

On Friday, the four Upper Basin states, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico, announced that they reached consensus on a “durable, long-term, basin-wide agreement on post 2026 Colorado River operations.” They say that everyone in the basin must learn to live within the available supply, and that the Upper Basin is preparing for necessary and painful cuts to its water supplies.

Massive Glen Canyon Dam Surrounded by Red Rock Cliffs - Page, Arizona - USA

View of Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado River from the overlook on Highway 89 in Page, Arizona, USA. Showcasing the impressive scale of the dam and the beauty of the surrounding red rock canyon.

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Madeleine Deaton / Getty Images


A statement issued by the Upper Basin states on Friday said, “Upper Basin water users are preparing for reductions of more than 2.0 MAF this year. Across the entire Upper Basin, this will amount to reductions greater than 40% of the proven water rights. Meanwhile, our downstream neighbors are seeking to secure water from the UDS that simply does not exist.”

John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Las Vegas, also issued a statement on Friday, explaining that the states have “failed to reach an agreement to collectively protect our respective communities and economies in the face of almost certain reductions to our use of the river.”

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a news release that management of the river “must be built on a foundation of shared contribution and innovation, with all Colorado River water users stretching to conserve water.” They asserted that the Lower Basin states have already offered to reduce their share and asserted that their stance remains “firm and fair.”

Colorado River Sign

Colorado River Sign at Hite Crossing in Utah,USA

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The Lower Basin states added that they contain approximately 75% of the population, employment, and crop sales supported by the river. They also include 25 Indigenous tribes that depend on it. Utah, Arizona and Nevada are also among the top ten states in percent growth from 2024 to 2025.

Upper Colorado River Commission Chair and Colorado Commissioner, Becky Mitchell, said, “We’re being asked to solve a problem we didn’t create with water we don’t have. The Upper Division’s approach is aligned with hydrologic reality and we’re ready to move forward.”

New Mexico Commissioner Estevan Lopez warned that unrealistic demands on the system will damage the entire basin.

“The River is telling us the truth every year,” he asserted. “We can either negotiate based on real conditions, including this year’s critically low hydrology in the Upper Basin, or we can keep repeating outdated assumptions until the system breaks. The Upper Division is choosing realism and responsibility.” 

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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one

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Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one


A man already driving with a suspended license from a DUI is now accused of intentionally plowing into three people on a sidewalk in Colorado.

This happened near the intersection of East Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Willowbridge Way in Highlands Ranch around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

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Witnesses say that after the crash, the driver made a U-turn, went back to the scene, slowly drove past the wreckage, then left. That allowed another witness to follow him 5.5 miles down to Daniels Park, where just 15 minutes later, 28-year-old Adam Bauserman was taken into custody.

Bauserman’s demeanor was described by deputies as “unusually quiet.” At one point, he apparently asked, “Do you know if I killed the man?”

As it would turn out, the man survived, but his girlfriend did not. Flowers are piling up at the scene of a morning walk that turned deadly.

Right now, investigators don’t believe the driver knew any of those victims.

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“You expect to be safe when you’re walking on the sidewalk,” said neighbor Beth Chitel, who lived just yards from the crash site until she moved last month. “These are very highly trafficked pathways around here; it could have happened to any of our friends, any of our neighbors, any of our children.”

“This was a horrific scene,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.

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CBS


Thirty-five-year-old Corrine More died in the crash. Her sister tells CBS Colorado she lived in the neighborhood and was out on a walk with her boyfriend. She describes Corrine as a nursing student with a big heart who was loved by everyone who knew her, and who was beautiful inside and out.

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Corrine’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Kyle Vasey, was seriously injured. He has undergone multiple surgeries and was described by a doctor in the affidavit as being at substantial risk for permanent disfigurement or death.

The other victim is 72-year-old Dianne Windes. The sheriff says she was walking in the opposite direction from the couple. She was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

Witnesses believe the driver who crashed into the three pedestrians did so on purpose.

“If we can prove that, we’ll certainly do that, but at this point we have no indication of that,” Weekly said.

It was thanks to a witness who followed that truck that deputies arrested Bauserman, who was driving with a revoked license after a DUI last year.

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“Mr. Bauserman has had several revocations and suspensions of his license over the last 10 years,” Weekly said. “He should never have been on the roadway, and as a result of that, somebody is now deceased.”

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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office


Deputies did not detect immediate signs of intoxication but are waiting on blood test results.

Right now, investigators believe Bauserman was only traveling 3 mph over the speed limit, at about 48 mph in a 45 mph zone. That will need to be confirmed in the investigation.

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“He should never have been on the roadway, period. And so, the fact that somebody in our community has been lost in such a tragic, horrible way. How many lives have been destroyed by this selfish act?” Weekly asked.

“I want to express my sympathies to the families, and yeah, we’re here to support you as a community, and we’re by your side,” said Chitel.

Neighbor Beth Chitel started an online fundraiser for the victims.

“The last thing that the family should be having to worry about right now is the bills that are coming,” said Chitel.

The sheriff says that 15 to 20 community members stepped up to help in the aftermath of this tragedy.

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Chitel says the community has been hurt by other recent tragedies, like the death of 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz, who was hit while in the crosswalk on his way to school. That fatal crash happened just over a mile away from this one.

“Something really needs to be done. The community is well aware of the safety issues posed there, of course. Again, we don’t expect them on the sidewalk,” said Chitel. “We need more crosswalks; we could use more stoplights. We need more safety measures put in place because, in general, it’s really not a safe road. People speed on it.”

“It’s absolutely horrible. As the sheriff, I have done a lot to increase traffic enforcement. We’ve almost doubled the size of our traffic unit. I expect my folks to be out there and be productive and ensure the safety of our citizens. These tragedies, certainly back to back, are heartbreaking for everybody involved, it shouldn’t happen,” Weekly said.

Three families are forever changed, a community is left with questions, and the investigation is just beginning.

“We need to make sure that we do our job well, and that we get justice for all these victims,” Weekly said.

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Bauserman is being held on charges including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Preliminary charges Bauserman is facing include the following seven felonies and one misdemeanor:

  • Vehicular homicide
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury (two counts)
  • Vehicular assault (two counts)
  • Assault in the second degree – crimes to at-risk persons
  • Driving a motor vehicle with a license is under restraint (express consent refusal/DUI conviction)

These charges could change based on the results of the blood tests and additional information that is garnered through the investigation.

A judge set Bauserman’s bond at $100,000.

As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office says anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Pereira at bpereira@dcsheriff.net or call (303) 660-7537.

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Eagle Rock Ranch

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Eagle Rock Ranch


When Dave and Jean Gottenborg met as teenagers wrangling horses in Estes Park, they dreamed of one day running a ranch together. That dream fell by the wayside for decades until 2012, when the couple purchased Eagle Rock Ranch in the Tarryall Valley.

Talking about the Gottenborg’s ranch means deliberately avoiding words like “owners” and “ownership.” The couple “manage” their land — their preferred term — through the conservationist lens of thinkers like Wendell Berry and Aldo Leopold. Visitors are welcome on the land (see some basic guidelines here), and they sell their beef by the cut, box and share at their family-owned mercantile in Fairplay.



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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02

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Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02


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The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

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The MLB action continues on Tuesday as the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Angels.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels?

First pitch between the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Jun. 02.

How to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.

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Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for Jun. 02 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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