The Colorado River provides water to more than 40 million people from Denver to Los Angeles, making it the third biggest water source in the United States. It is one of the most important rivers in the Southwestern United States, as well as Northern Mexico. It is 1,450 miles long, and encompasses parts of both countries. 

The Colorado River is experiencing major water shortages.  The main cause of the shortage is increasing temperatures. The higher the temperature gets, the worse the situation is predicted to get. Millions of people rely on the water from the river to meet their day to day needs and without it, a lot of people will be put at risk. Activists are urging efforts to protect it before one of the country’s most vital rivers ceases to exist. The river supplies water to farms that grow fruits and vegetables to feed millions of people. 

Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California are the most at risk to face water shortages as the river shrinks. It is not the first time that these states have experienced a drought. Back in 2016, California had one of the largest droughts in history. Global warming has also taken a toll on the snowpack that feeds the river. As temperature rises, the snow covered regions decline.