Sharing Colorado River Water: History, Public Policy and the Colorado River Compact
The year 1997 marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Colorado River Compact. Delegates from the seven Colorado River Basin states met on November 9, 1922 in New Mexico to discuss, negotiate and ultimately work out the compact. It was then signed in the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, on November 24. The compact apportioned Colorado River water between Upper and Lower Basin states and, as a result, is considered a defining document in Colorado River management.