Colorado and Nebraska, both struggling with drought, have been using more water from the river than they're allowed under an agreement with Kansas, which says it will act soon to force compliance. Draft rules by the Colorado state engineer's office that would shut down wells and possibly halt surface-water diversions in part of the Republican River basin are intended to stave off a lawsuit by Kansas. More farmers and other water users in northeastern Colorado could see their wells shut down if new rules to bring the state into compliance with an interstate water compact on the Republican River are approved.  

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