Attorney General Phil Weiser’s response to Nebraska asking U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on Perkins County Canal boondoggle

July 16, 2025 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser today released the following statement regarding Nebraska suing Colorado at the U.S. Supreme Court over the Perkins County Canal:  

“It’s unfortunate that Nebraska leaders decided to put politics above farming and ranching communities and the regional agricultural economy. The failure to look for reasonable solutions and to turn to litigation is both unfortunate and predictable given the misguided effort driving the proposed canal.

“Nebraska has now set in motion what is likely to be decades of litigation. And if, after decades of litigation, the court allows Nebraska to move forward with its wasteful project, Nebraska’s actions will force Colorado water users to build additional new projects to lessen the impact of the proposed Perkins County Canal.

“When the dust finally settles, likely over a billion dollars will have been spent—tens of millions of that on litigation alone—and no one in Nebraska or Colorado will be better off. To avoid this outcome, Nebraska will ideally realize that through cooperation and collaboration, rather than litigation, our states could achieve a durable and thoughtful solution that addresses any concerns they might have. By so doing, we can increase resiliency in the region and ensure that the agricultural communities of Northeast Colorado and Northwest Nebraska can both thrive in the future.”

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov