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

Scientists clash over how to track the West’s vital snowpack

Supporters of airborne snow surveys dispute “hotspots” study on water forecasts

Water Desk offers support for coverage of New Mexico and Rio Grande water issues

The Water Desk is offering support to journalists and media outlets covering water issues related to New Mexico and the Rio Grande Basin.

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.

Water Connections

Where groundwater gives way to warm springs, a fight continues over building a new desert town outside Las Vegas.
Video story: The value of water

Video story: The value of water (full length)

With population growth around Denver prompting fierce competition for water, investors want to import a new supply from the San Luis Valley, but many farmers and ranchers who depend on that water are opposed to the plan.

The surprising connection between West Coast fires and the volatile chemicals tainting America’s drinking...

Manufactured substances known as volatile organic compounds contaminate drinking water around the U.S. — and recent wildfires are making the situation worse.

Why the second-driest state rejects water conservation

A powerful group that steers Utah’s water policy keeps pushing for costly infrastructure over meaningful conservation efforts.

Photos: Rio Grande near Albuquerque, June 2024

This page in our free multimedia library features aerial photos of the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, N.M. Albuquerque relies on pumped groundwater and surface water from the Colorado River Basin...

Videos and photos: Yampa River, December 2019

This page features drone footage and still imagery of the Yampa River near Stagecoach Reservoir and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. View this gallery for high-resolution downloads » DateDecember 22-23,...
Colorado stream photo 1

Special Report: Colorado launches major new series of stream protections

The process of protecting environmental flows takes an important step forward as three laws passed in 2020 start to take effect this year.