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

Four things to know about the lower Colorado River basin

Water managers from the Colorado's River Upper Basin visit the Lower Basin on a fact-finding trip.

Public: New Colorado Water Plan needs more urgency and accountability

Coloradans want the state’s top water road map to be more equitable, but finalizing plans has been difficult.

Water Desk supports journalists covering the Colorado River Basin

The Water Desk is excited to announce the recipients of new grants to support water journalism connected to the Colorado River Basin.

Stream restoration projects focused on beavers present ‘unsettled’ issue

Some fear perceived harm to downstream water users could prompt push for water rights

$500M in new federal funds to give thousands of Coloradans freedom from lead, PFAS...

Coloradans exposed to drinking water tainted by lead or so-called “forever chemicals" will see clean water faster.

In New Mexico, Partners Collaborate to End Siege from Megafires

Initiative in the Rio Grande basin intends to thwart catastrophic wildfires that wreck watersheds.

Maybell project addresses problems for irrigators, boaters, fish

The Maybell Irrigation District and The Nature Conservancy are rehabilitating and modernizing a key headgate and diversion on the Yampa River.

Does the Western Megadrought Mean the End of Cheap Cheese and Ice Cream?

Water Desk grantees Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley of the Gastropod podcast recently explored the importance of alfalfa to Western water issues and dairy products.

A Colorado River veteran moves upstream and plunges into the drought-stressed river’s mounting woes

Chuck Cullom discusses the Upper Basin's five-point plan, water cut-offs and who IS responsible for water losses.

Drought threatens coal plant operations — and electricity — across the West

The very plants whose emissions help drive climate change are at risk of shutdowns because the water they need to operate has fallen to unprecedented levels.