Artist Christo says river project at a standstill

CANON CITY, Colo. - The artist Christo says his plan to suspend nearly 6 miles of silvery fabric in sections over the Arkansas River is in a "stand-still situation."

The 79-year-old artist updated supporters on his "Over the River" project during a luncheon in Canon City, Colorado. The Daily Record reports his visit also included a rafting trip down the Arkansas.

Christo and his late wife Jeanne-Claude began scouting for a location for the temporary installation in the 1990s. After visiting 89 rivers in seven states, they chose the Arkansas River between Salida and Canon City.

The project received federal approval to move forward in November 2011, but it has been delayed because of legal challenges by groups that say it's too disruptive. Those challenges are working their way through the legal system.