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

Dry agriculture photo

Dust beneath snow: As Colorado reservoirs drop, farmers fear the worst

Reservoirs in the South Platte Basin are full from spring snows, but the rest of the state's storage pools are dangerously low, and farmers are struggling.

Water from retired coal plants could help endangered fish in the Yampa River

Endangered fish in the Yampa River may benefit as coal-fired power stations close in the next 10 to 15 years.

Colorado squeezing water from urban landscapes

Pace of transition has accelerated, deepened and broadened

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.

Data viz: Lake Powell levels

Last update: September 21, 2022 Percent of total capacity Source: US Bureau of Reclamation

Glen Canyon Dam faces its existential moment

PAGE, Ariz. – In the span of U.S. history certain years are turning points, milestones in the nation’s story. 1776. 1865. 1929. 1968. Circumstance and consequence conspire to make...
Colorado distiller photo 1

Colorado distillers, builders and restaurateurs get water savvy this Earth Day

Earth Day offers a chance to highlight some Colorado projects and businesses that are moving the needle on water sustainability.
Salton Sea photo 1

Long troubled Salton Sea may finally be getting what it most needs: action —...

The shrinking desert lake has long been a trouble spot beset by rising salinity and unhealthy dust blowing from its increasingly exposed bed.

Photos: Rio Grande headwaters aerials, May 2024

This page in our free multimedia library features aerial photos of the Rio Grande's headwaters in southwest Colorado. The Rio Grande begins in the San Juan Mountains and travels some...

Amid a withering drought, New Mexico leaders struggle to plan for life with less...

New Mexico faces tough choices as a dire and historic drought continues and the Rio Grande is unable to give everyone what they want or need.