From farms, cities and tribal nations to data centers and supply chains, the Colorado River powers life and economies across the American West and beyond. It supports 40 million people, 16 million jobs and $1.4 trillion in economic activity.
But the system that keeps it flowing is under pressure and the river is now at a breaking point. Not because of a lack of solutions, but because of a lack of awareness, alignment and action.
In 2026, Mina Guli ran more than 2,000 miles along the Colorado River, bringing people together and turning awareness into action. Along the way, she connected communities, businesses and leaders across the basin, spotlighted solutions already at work and built momentum for what should come next.
While the run may be over, the real work is only just beginning. The focus now is on turning the momentum into lasting action for the future of the Colorado River.
It takes more than one runner to go the distance. Behind Mina Guli is a team of partners working to drive the necessary conversations, collaborations and solutions to secure the future of the Colorado River.
Providing the shared evidence base for this initiative, the State of the Basin Report explains the Colorado River’s challenges, highlighting where collective action can make the biggest impact.
With drought agreements expiring in 2026, the US faces a defining moment. What happens next will determine whether the river continues to be a driver of American growth or becomes a risk.
Without action, the pressure on the river will only intensify. It’s time to turn this risk into an opportunity for action. To rethink how we manage water. To invest in smarter, more resilient systems. And to shape the future of communities across the American West.
But the scale of the challenge is greater than any one solution or organization. It demands a collective approach.
This is an invitation to join forces and invest in human and natural infrastructure, innovation and collaboration. Because it’s the only way to keep the river – and the economy it supports – running.
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Join the world’s largest grassroots movement for water this year as Mina Guli runs the length of the Colorado River.
