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

Center pivot irrigation photo

State water task force issues anti-profiteering report; critics say it falls short

A state group examining water speculation identified eight ideas to stop water hoarding, but failed to provide legislative recommendations.
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.

Photos: Gila River, Arizona

This page features imagery of the Gila River in Arizona. Flowing through New Mexico and Arizona, the 649-mile Gila River is a tributary to the Colorado River, though today only...

Photos and videos: Ruedi Reservoir, December 2020

This page features drone-captured photos and videos of Ruedi Reservoir on Colorado's Western Slope. ' Part of the federal Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, the reservoir has a capacity of 102,000 acre-feet and...
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.
Boaters float the Yampa River in northwest Colorado photo

Stream management planning watered down by agriculture

Flow targets for the environment and recreation are lacking, according to a recent report.

Colorado Water Plan turns five: Is it working?

Drought, growth, climate change, budget cuts, wildfires and competing demands for water are among the challenges facing the Colorado Water Plan.
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.

CWCB changes course, will open most demand management meetings to public

The Colorado Water Conservation Board has decided to hold upcoming workgroup meetings about a potential water-demand management effort in public

Emergency Colorado River rescue plan likely to include more Flaming Gorge releases, payments to...

Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming may face requests for voluntary cutbacks in their use of Colorado River water next year.