DENVER — The states of Kansas and Colorado have agreed to a settlement regarding Colorado's previous water usage of the Republican River.
According to Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, the settlement resolves issues between the two states regarding Colorado's past use of the water basin and will help them to work within the Republican River Compact. The compact allocates the water basins between Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas.
“This agreement allows us to move forward in partnership with our neighbor states while avoiding long, costly litigation," Coffman said in a statement. "This is a positive resolution for the citizens of Colorado and Kansas.”
“This settlement provides funds that could be used in the Republican River Basin within Kansas and Colorado," Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper added. "We look forward to seeing the additional opportunities created for cooperative water management between the states.”
The settlement agreement was signed by the governors and attorneys general of both states.