Professor Balaji Discusses Colorado River Basin Crisis on KGNU

Gwendolyn Miller — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:19:14 +0000

Professor Balaji Discusses Colorado River Basin Crisis on KGNU Gwendolyn Miller Thu, 03/05/2026 - 11:19

Professor Rajagopalan Balaji, one of CU ��ý��’s leading experts in hydrology, climatology, and water resources, recently joined KGNU’s Rossana Longo Better for an in‑depth conversation on the escalating Colorado River basin crisis.

During the interview, Balaji drew on decades of research to explain the severity of the situation and the urgent need for a new, science‑informed basin agreement. He emphasized that while the Colorado River has supported communities, agriculture, and ecosystems across the West for more than a century, changing climate conditions and historical over‑allocation have brought the system to a critical point.

Balaji highlighted the importance of using the extensive knowledge gained over the past 200 years to guide decision‑making today. Collaboration, adaptability, and adjusting our understanding of realistic water supply will be essential for the planning challenges ahead.

“Water is life,” Balaji shared, underscoring the collective responsibility to steward the region’s limited water resources. He notes that we must learn from the past and work together to ensure a sustainable future. Failure to do so will land the task in the courts, which may not result in the best outcome for the river and everyone reliant on it.

The interview is available here and is an important contribution to the public’s understanding of the Colorado River’s future.

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#Colorado River

Professor Balaji Discusses Colorado River Basin Crisis on KGNU

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