- New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and the U.S. filed settlement agreements.
- The move seeks dismissal of a decade-long U.S. Supreme Court case.
- The settlement addresses Rio Grande Compact compliance.
- Final approval rests with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 — On Friday, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and the United States jointly filed settlement agreements with the Special Master in the U.S. Supreme Court case Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado.
The agreements mark a turning point in a water dispute that has spanned more than a decade and involved complex questions over Rio Grande water management.
The case, first launched in 2013, centered on allegations that New Mexico was not meeting its delivery obligations to Texas under the Rio Grande Compact, a 1938 agreement that governs how water is shared between Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.
What the Settlement Does.
The package of agreements includes input from irrigation districts in both New Mexico and Texas. It is designed to resolve the litigation and provide a long-term framework for compliance with the compact. If approved, the agreements will give water managers more flexibility while ensuring that downstream users in Texas receive their share.
The Special Master will review the settlement during a September 29 hearing in Philadelphia. He will then make a recommendation to the Supreme Court, which holds final authority. Approval would also dismiss a related lawsuit New Mexico filed against the United States in 2011.
Voices from New Mexico.
Attorney General Raul Torrez described the settlement as “an end to more than a decade of costly and contentious litigation” and highlighted its importance for New Mexico communities and farmers.
State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson emphasized that the agreement maintains New Mexico’s control over its water uses while adding flexibility to meet compact obligations.
Hannah Riseley-White, Director of the Interstate Stream Commission, underscored that the settlement reflects input from local water users and establishes reliability for communities throughout the basin.
A River Serving Millions.
The Rio Grande is a critical water source for about six million people across Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and the Republic of Mexico. Beyond urban use, it sustains agriculture, wildlife, and local economies along its course.
If the settlement is approved, it will provide clarity and stability to water users across the Lower Rio Grande, ending years of uncertainty and litigation.
More Information.
Settlement information and documents submitted on August 29, 2025, are available at the New Mexico Department of Justice’s website.
