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

Construction workers build a single family home in Castle Rock photo

Fast-growing Douglas County communities need more water. Is a controversial San Luis Valley export...

Douglas County commissioners consider spending $10 million to help finance a controversial San Luis Valley farm water export proposal.
The East Troublesome Fire burn scar photo

National, local water and fire officials plan new West Slope summit

Colorado water and fire officials plan a two-day confab in Grand Junction to discuss how to protect the state’s vital mountain watersheds.
The South Adams County Water and Sanitation district photo

Colorado health officials investigating contaminated PFAS plume near Denver fire training center

The Colorado health department is investigating a plume causing high levels of forever chemicals in the raw water supply of Adams County.
Greeley No. 2 Canal photo

Special Report: Climate change is sapping Colorado’s water supplies. Can its hallmark water law...

Is prior appropriation up to the task of divvying up the state’s water in an era of increasingly frequent and severe drought conditions?
The Colorado River flows towards Horsethief Canyon photo

Special Report: As Lake Powell hits record lows, is filling a new drought pool...

The drought pool would be filled voluntarily, largely by farmers and ranchers, who would be paid to temporarily dry up their fields.
inspectors testa new landscape watering system in Castle Rock

Douglas County Commissioners to head to San Luis Valley for water export meetings

Douglas County Commissioners will travel to Colorado’s San Luis Valley to hear public opinions on exporting farm water to the Front Range.

Feds, 4 Colorado River states unveil draft drought operations plan as 2022 forecast shift

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Upper Basin states have drawn up a proposed framework to create plans to maintain Lake Powell water levels.
Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill to help regions comply with obligations to deliver water to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.

Bill providing millions in relief to Republican, Rio Grande river basins clears first hurdle

Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill to help regions comply with obligations to deliver water to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.
Some of the snowmelt flowing in the Blue River as it joins the Colorado River photo

State officials gear up for “difficult conversations” on the Colorado River

The seven U.S. states that share Colorado River water will soon renegotiate water management guidelines.
Glen Canyon Dam photo

As Colorado River reservoirs shrink, feds ask for work-arounds for 2022

As drought threatens Colorado River reservoirs' ability to generate hydropower, the Bureau of Reclamation is creating work-arounds.