Trump order pauses funding for Colorado River conservation efforts

President Trump’s executive order to halt funding from the Inflation Reduction Act has paused vital conservation programs for the Colorado River. Among the programs affected is $4 billion allocated to support water-saving efforts in the river’s basin, including payments to farmers, tribes, and local governments. The move puts at risk key water conservation initiatives aimed at sustaining reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Water experts warn that this disruption could undermine years of collaborative efforts to safeguard the river’s flow and its crucial role in agriculture and hydropower.