Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act

This bill, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act (S. 154, 119th Congress), would reauthorize and extend the federal Colorado River Basin System Conservation Pilot Program. It amends the 2015 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to ensure the program continues beyond its previous sunset dates, extending key deadlines to 2026 and 2027. The act also changes internal references so that the program is associated with the new extension act’s name rather than “this Act.” In short, the bill keeps a voluntary, compensated conservation program in place within the Colorado River Basin for two more years (and maintains consistency in its statutory language). The program generally pays for voluntary water-conservation actions to reduce demand on the Colorado River System. By extending authorization, the bill aims to maintain incentives for water managers and users to participate in conservation efforts that can help improve the reliability of the river system and potentially reduce the risk of shortages.