Nevada sues US over Colorado River plan, warns Las Vegas could lose two-thirds of water

Nevada has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that a new management plan for the Colorado River would dangerously cut water supplies to Las Vegas. The state’s legal action claims the federal proposal could strip the city of two-thirds of its water supply. Nevada officials say the plan is unfair and fails to protect the state’s long-term access to the river, which serves millions of residents and supports a major tourism economy. The lawsuit marks a sharp turn for Nevada, which has long promoted itself as a cooperative partner in Western water negotiations. State leaders have repeatedly called for peace and compromise among the seven states that depend on the river. Now, they say, legal action is the only way to defend their water rights. At the heart of the dispute is how to share the shrinking river, which has been strained by years of drought and rising demand. The federal government’s latest plan outlines cuts and conservation measures, but Nevada argues those rules would hit its largest city disproportionately hard. The case adds new tension to an already fragile regional agreement. Other states are watching closely, as the outcome could reshape how the Colorado River’s water is divided for years to come.