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

Parks and Wildlife officer photo

Colorado reaches settlement on Chatfield Reservoir environmental water plan

Colorado water officials have reached a settlement removing one of the last barriers to a new water program in Chatfield Reservoir.

Demand management discussions continue amid worsening Colorado River crisis

The crisis on the Colorado River is not waiting for the state of Colorado to develop a program to avoid water shortages.
Crystal River photo

Facing drought and increased demands, Colorado communities eye new storage alternatives

Colorado could need 750,000 acre-feet of new water supplies by 2050 for its growing population, but how to store that water isn’t clear.
Thinning trees photo

Western governors ask feds to expand state partnerships to address wildfires, climate change

Western governors say it's time to help states recover from wildfires, thin overgrown forests and protect mountain water systems.
Parshall Flume photo

State engineers developing measurement rules for water diversions

Colorado officials are preparing for a future with less water by developing rules for users to measure how much they're taking from streams.
Hay collecting photo

Report: Colorado River ranch water savings hit 42 percent

Colorado’s high altitude hay meadows could be re-operated to yield more than 40 percent in water savings, according to a new report.
Wildlife biologist photo

Kremmling bird count studies how birds use irrigated agriculture

As Colorado grapples with a demand-management program, there could be unintended consequences for animals that use irrigated agriculture for habitat.
Pistachio farm photo

Tulare County’s never-ending drought brings dried up wells and plenty of misery

In the rural towns around Visalia, drought is a perpetual plight and wells are going dry.
Rafters on the Gunnison River photo

How many “boatable” days does a Colorado river possess? We’re about to find out

A prototype web tool uses historical data to give river users and water managers the ability to check an entire season’s flow forecast.
Denver Capitol photo

Colorado lawmakers say “yes” to more than $53M in new water funding

Colorado lawmakers approved bills to help finance the Colorado Water Plan, protect watersheds, mitigate wildfires and recover from drought.