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

A kayaker runs the 6-foot drop of Slaughterhouse Falls on the Roaring Fork River photo

Groups try again to secure water for recreation

Some in Colorado’s recreation community are hoping proposed legislation will result in more water in streams for the benefit of boaters.

Vail Resorts’ cancellation of cloud seeding this winter could mean less water in streams

Due to budget shortfalls, Vail Resorts has pulled this winter’s funding for its cloud seeding program, potentially reducing the amount of water flowing down the Colorado River this spring.
This Parshall flume on Red Mountain photo.

Pitkin County agrees to fund ditch piping project

The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners has approved funding toward a ditch piping project to keep more water in Hunter Creek.

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.
The Crystal River flows through the town of Marble just after its confluence with Yule Creek

U.S. Army Corps won’t hold public hearing on marble quarry that relocated Yule Creek

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has denied local groups’ request for a public hearing in the case of a marble quarry that violated the Clean Water Act.
City Park in Denver

Even in a pandemic, drought drives water use along the Front Range

Municipal water providers saw commercial water use plummet at the beginning of the pandemic but those savings were erased once the hot summer rolled in.

Aurora, Colo. Springs seek to drill on lower Homestake Creek dam sites

The cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs are increasing their efforts to develop a reservoir on lower Homestake Creek in the Eagle River Basin.
Colorado River photo

Glenwood Springs secures water right for whitewater parks

Glenwood Springs has secured a conditional water right for three whitewater parks on the Colorado River after a long fought court battle.

Crystal River Ranch near Carbondale seeks to preserve water rights tied to potential dams,...

Are junior water rights to an oversubscribed river enough to justify two reservoirs on a farm? One Colorado rancher is about to find out.

Colorado River restoration project crawls forward as some environmental groups call for radical change

The Colorado River Water Conservation District voted to give $1 million of their taxpayer-raised funds to help construct a connectivity channel meant to improve deteriorated conditions at the headwaters of the Colorado River.