An initiative of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder

Site Features

Video story: The value of water

Video story: The value of water (full length)

With population growth around Denver prompting fierce competition for water, investors want to import a new supply from the San Luis Valley, but many farmers and ranchers who depend on that water are opposed to the plan.

Videos and photos: Blue River drone flight, December 2019

This page features drone-captured imagery of the Blue River, north of Silverthorne, Colorado. A tributary of the Colorado River, the Blue River runs for 65 miles and offers Gold...

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.

Garfield County to lease its Ruedi Reservoir water to help endangered fish in Colorado...

The move is meant to help humpback chub, bonytail, razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow in an often-depleted section of the Colorado River.

Mobile-home residents stuck in a regulatory roundabout

It's unclear whether a new law could improve water quality in the Eagle River Village park, but legislators want to pressure owners to do more.

Owners of Eagle River Village mobile-home park defend water quality

Residents of a mobile home park in Edwards say their well water tastes, looks and smells bad.

Humans are great at giving real problems the side-eye

Two new books provide insights into the willful ignorance that lead to the West’s water woes.

Small streams and wetlands are key parts of river networks – here’s why they...

The Trump administration's new rule ends federal protection under the Clean Water Act for many small streams and wetlands. But a scientist argues these are critical parts of river systems.

California’s dream has turned into water nightmares

A new book looks at the Golden State’s history to understand its current water crisis.

Video story: California’s vanishing lake (full length)

Water conservation in California’s southern desert is causing an environmental disaster as the Salton Sea quickly shrinks.