As litigation looms and drought takes its toll, state officials defiant over Colorado River’s future

By: Chase Woodruff

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: August 21, 2026

Words: 1,842

Last Updated: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

Routt County rancher Philip Rossi knew as early as January of this year — as the Flat Tops range above the Yampa River basin sat largely bare of snow — that 2026 would be a difficult water year.

“You can just feel it,” said Rossi, whose family has run cattle in the upper Yampa River valley for more than a century. “This is no good. We’re just not getting any moisture.”

Water managers at the …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us