I live in New Mexico, where water scarcity is not an abstract issue. It affects our communities, farms, ranches, tribal nations, businesses, and families every day. I have watched drought conditions worsen, reservoirs decline, wells become less dependable, and communities face increasingly difficult choices about how to use the water they have left. Too often, the response is simply to conserve more, restrict more, and hope for better weather.

But conservation alone is not enough. The Colorado River is under historic pressure, its reservoirs are strained, and groundwater levels are falling. Rural communities, tribal nations, farms, businesses, cities, and families are being asked to survive with less water while demand continues to grow. This crisis in the American Southwest demands a comprehensive, collaborative approach. It is not a problem one state can solve alone.

We need a unified response. We propose the formation of the Southwestern Water Security Alliance—a coalition of seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—committed to working together to ensure a sustainable water future. By combining resources, sharing data, and developing innovative water management solutions, we can protect this essential resource.

The Alliance would focus on long-term solutions such as investing in water reuse technology, enhancing water storage, and supporting agricultural water use efficiencies. Collaborative policymaking and cross-state support could lead to more significant and effective water sharing agreements, protecting the rights and needs of all stakeholders, including vulnerable tribal nations and rural areas.

We also need federal support to address the legal and financial obstacles to comprehensive action. A well-coordinated, multi-state alliance can leverage more substantial federal funding and attention, potentially unlocking billions of dollars for water infrastructure and conservation projects.

Join us in fighting for a water-secure future for the American Southwest. We need a coalition that rises above political divisions and prioritizes the regional cooperation necessary to address this critical issue. Please sign this petition urging state leaders and the federal government to support the formation of the Southwestern Water Security Alliance. Together, we can build a resilient water future for all. Sign now to make your voice heard.