SALT LAKE CITY — As a critical deadline hit for a tentative deal governing the Colorado River, the seven states that manage the mighty river appeared to be willing to keep talking.

"The seven Colorado River Basin states, together with the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation, recognize the serious and ongoing challenges facing the Colorado River. Prolonged drought and low reservoir conditions have placed extraordinary pressure on this critical water resource that supports 40 million people, tribal nations, agriculture, and industry," Colorado River Commissioner for Utah Gene Shawcroft said in a statement to FOX 13 News on Tuesday.

"While more work needs to be done, collective progress has been made that warrants continued efforts to define and approve details for a fi

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