If states can't agree on Colorado River Compact, feds can see whole picture

“We cannot negotiate with people who say what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.” — John F. Kennedy

Representatives of the seven U.S. states — including Utah — that live on the water flowing through the Colorado River system have until November 11 to come up with a tentative plan to manage the ever-decreasing amounts of liquid in the basin.

While we can’t be sure — substantive talks are happening behind closed doors — there seems little hope of meeting that deadline. Political and financial incentives push each state to protect its own narrow interests.

If those talks do fail, the federal government may have to step in to manage the river. Which might be the best we can hope for.

If that’s what happens, Utah’s leaders should let it go. Not dam up an already overdue pr