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

Some still don’t have a reliable water source near the headwaters of the Colorado...

Residents of a mobile home park near Gunnison are often left without water because of unreliable supplies.
Sunrise at Lake Powell. Photo: Adobe Stock

Colorado River drought study advances as participants call for fairness between cities, ranches

Can Colorado find a fair way to set aside as much as 500,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell to protect the state from future drought?

As pressure to regulate Yampa River continues, locals raise cash to aid compliance effort

Nearly one year after the state ordered Yampa River water users to begin measuring their diversions from the iconic river, local community groups have raised more than $200,000 to help cash-strapped ranchers and others install the devices needed to comply with the law.
Toxic waste from uranium pool photo

Two Southwest tribes raise concerns over uranium storage

In Utah, a pool of toxic waste is emitting dangerous amounts of radon to the surrounding communities, including the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
Maroon Bells Snowpack

Melting away in a hot drought

The snowpack that 40 million people rely on for water was supposed to provide a bounty this year. Instead, much of it melted away fast and early — part of a long-term trend associated with climate change.

Tour the San Joaquin River

An interactive map visualizes restoration efforts on the San Joaquin River.
Blue Mesa Reservoir photo

La Niña likely to continue, intensifying drought, wildfires; snowpack hits 91% of average

Colorado's drought may continue into the fall, bringing a third year of below-average snowpack and streamflows and high wildfire danger.

Cash for Grass: Colorado to pay for turf removal, boost water conservation

Colorado has a new turf replacement program that will finance residential areas to switch their yards to more water efficient landscaping.
roaring fork river

Work underway to smooth out big drop in river near Basalt

Work underway in the Roaring Fork River will make for a smoother ride for boaters beginning this spring.

The Other Border Dispute Is Over an 80-Year-Old Water Treaty

With another hot summer looming, Mexico is behind on its water deliveries to the United States, leading to water cutbacks in South Texas. A little-known federal agency has hit a roadblock in its efforts to get Mexico to comply.