Streamflows in southern half of upper Colorado River basin declining faster
New climate data shows a north/south split in streamflow declines in the Colorado River Basin.
Steamboat looks to new program to address high river temperatures
Steamboat Springs is trying to comply with state regulations and also cool down chronically high temperatures in an impaired stretch of the Yampa River.
Water planners pray for snow as 2022 forecast shows dry weather ahead
Colorado’s water forecast, already strained by back-to-back drought years, is unlikely to brighten this fall and winter.
Blue Mesa Reservoir releases to prop up Lake Powell impacting recreation
In an effort to prop up water levels at Lake Powell, water managers are negatively impacting recreation on Colorado’s biggest man-made lake.
Electric costs in Colorado set to surge as Lake Powell struggles to produce hydropower
A federal agency aims to offset rising costs linked to Lake Powell’s inability to produce as much hydropower due to drought.
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.
Back-to-back droughts choke Western Colorado as winter forecast darkens
A repeat of dry conditions in 2021 is making Colorado’s continuing drought across swaths of the state’s Western Slope even more devastating.
Just 53% of Colorado cities use permanent watering restrictions, despite proven savings
Despite a drought and below-normal reservoir levels, communities remain split on permanent outdoor watering restrictions.
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.
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.