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

South Platte River

Aurora inks $43.7 million in water deals on South Platte River

Thirsty Front Range Colorado cities continue to drive the market for South Platte River farm water with Aurora announcing two major deals to acquire farms and their water rights.
The Crystal River at the fish hatchery just south of Carbondale

Weak 2020 water year comes to a close

What started as a promising water year for Colorado with above-average snowpack ended Sept. 30 with the entire state in some level of drought.

Colorado reservoirs down 25 percent as drought persists

Colorado’s reservoirs are 25 percent lower than they were last year at this time, as a hot, dry summer continues into the fall.

Pitkin County groups concerned about marble quarry’s impacts on waterways

Local groups are keeping a close eye on a marble-mining company that violated the Clean Water Act with a Yule Creek diversion.
Grand County rancher collects hay samples

These hay fields may know something we don’t: how to save the Colorado River

A $1 million science experiment on Colorado hay fields is backed by powerful water groups, farm interests, and environmentalists.
White River above Wolf Creek

White River dam and reservoir project headed for water court trial

The state of Colorado and the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District are still at odds over a proposed White River dam and reservoir project.
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.
Western Slope Colorado River

Water conservation payments to Colorado ranchers could top $120M; is it enough?

A new economic study suggests that a wide-scale water conservation program in Colorado could cost more than $120 million.
Roaring Fork headwaters

Pitkin County’s opposition to tax follows pattern of ‘misalignment’ with River District

Pitkin County’s opposition to a River District tax increase is just the latest in the historically antagonistic relationship between the two entities.

The Colorado River is awash in data vital to its management, but making sense...

A major science report that highlights scientific shortcomings and opportunities in the Basin could aid water managers as they rewrite the river's operating rules.