Fresh Water News
Fresh Water News is an independent, non-partisan news initiative of Water Education Colorado. Learn more at www.watereducationcolorado.org/fresh-water-news/
Critical April snowpack above average, but potential for dry spring causes concern
While snowpack and reservoirs are strong, forecasts for streamflows, which build as melting snow reaches streams, are expected to be below normal across southwestern and southeastern parts of the state.
Rafting season ready to launch, but COVID-19 worries running high
Colorado’s virus-related restrictions are forcing commercial rafting companies to create social distance on unruly rivers and face the potential for smaller crowds.
Study: $3.2B-plus collaborative water system on South Platte River could work, may signal new...
A study indicates that if Front Range cities band together to build a large-scale water reuse and delivery system, water sufficient to serve 100,000 homes could be developed.
New gambling tax revenue forecasts in free fall; cash for water plan in limbo
It’s hard to generate money from a sports-betting tax when COVID-19 has removed athletes from the fields, courts and stadiums where they normally play.
Polis signs five major water bills into law: instream flows, anti-speculating, and more
Colorado enacted five major pieces of water legislation, including providing more water for environmental flows and studying how to limit water speculation.
Study: Colorado’s water still affordable, but that may change as COVID-19 stresses utilities
Western states are still able to provide relatively affordable water, but that could change as utilities try to recoup losses associated with the pandemic and begin to pay for the massive repairs and upgrades to their systems that were on the drawing board before COVID-19 struck.
Colorado River drought study advances as participants call for fairness between cities, ranches
Can Colorado find a fair way to set aside as much as 500,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell to protect the state from future drought?
Colorado water utilities race to protect workers from COVID-19 as they declare tap water...
Water utilities initiated emergency action plans, asking hundreds of employees to work from home to limit the virus’ spread and to help protect the workers needed to operate water treatment and delivery systems.
Report: Colorado’s farm water use exceeds national average, despite efforts to conserve
Farm water is critical to Colorado’s effort to balance a growing population with a water system stressed by drought and climate change.
As 2020 kicks in, historic Colorado River Drought Plan will get its first test
This year, the first-ever Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan is set to launch, and water officials expect 2020 to bring unprecedented changes to the way the river is run, including cutbacks in water use by some states.