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

Uranium cleanup in Moab

After more than a decade of work, a federal cleanup project along the Colorado River in Utah is still removing radioactive uranium tailings that could pose a threat to...

Utah’s Suicide Pact With the Fossil Fuel Industry

The state’s fixation on oil and gas development threatens the Colorado River watershed.

Video and photos: Captain Jack Mill drone flight, July 2019

This photo gallery contains images taken by drone for our story on acid mine drainage in Colorado, which featured the Captain Jack Mill Superfund site near Ward, Colorado. DateJuly 18,...
Glen Canyon Dam photo

Recent drop in Lake Powell’s storage shows how much space sediment is taking up

A new study shows that sedimentation from the Colorado River means that Lake Powell's storage capacity is lower than previously believed.
Thinning trees photo

Western governors ask feds to expand state partnerships to address wildfires, climate change

Western governors say it's time to help states recover from wildfires, thin overgrown forests and protect mountain water systems.

Polis signs five major water bills into law: instream flows, anti-speculating, and more

Colorado enacted five major pieces of water legislation, including providing more water for environmental flows and studying how to limit water speculation.

High marks and worries on home water conservation: Is Colorado’s effort stalling?

A new analysis of residential water use by Fresh Water News shows Colorado's statewide savings from water conservation in recent years may have stalled out.

Degrees of warming: How a hotter, thirstier atmosphere wreaks havoc on water supplies in...

Colorado's Pitkin County is grappling with higher temperatures, declining streamflows and drier soils caused by climate change.
Hydroelectric turbine at Glen Canyon Dam photo

Powell’s looming power problem

Drought and demand threaten a critical component of the Western grid as Lake Powell approaches minimum power pool for the first time.

Homestake hike highlights uncertainties with proposed reservoir project

A project in the Upper Eagle River watershed proposes to send water from the Colorado River basin to the fast-growing Front Range.