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

As temperatures rise, Arizona sinks

The combination of groundwater pumping and warmer temperatures is shrinking aquifers and lowering water tables in Arizona.
The Roaring Fork River joins with the Colorado River in downtown Glenwood Springs photo

Spring runoff forecast looks better than last two years

Colorado’s predictions for spring runoff are looking better than the past two years, but streamflows are still expected to be below normal.
Cloud seeding equipment near Winter Park in Colorado photo

Cloud seeding might not be as promising as drought-troubled states hope

Several western states have experimented with cloud seeding to increase precipitation, but it may not be a promising strategy.
This photo from December 2021 shows one of the intake towers at Hoover Dam. Federal officials said basin states must conserve 2 to 4 million acre-feet to protect reservoir levels in 2023. CREDIT: HEATHER SACKETT/ASPEN JOURNALISM

Race is on for Colorado River basin states to conserve before feds take action

Seven states in the West have been given until August 15th to implement new strategies and tools to conserve the Colorado River.
Colorado River photo

Traveler Special Report: Grand Canyon’s Struggling River

Glen Canyon Dam, climate change and invasive plant species are threatening the Colorado River.

Crop in the crosshairs

The federal government is trying to save the water supply for 40 million Americans. It has released three possible plans to protect the Colorado River Basin, which is facing...

Western river compacts were innovative in the 1920s but couldn’t foresee today’s water challenges

Interstate river compacts were an innovative solution 100 years ago – but were written for a West far different from today.

US Climate risks are rising – a scientist looks at the dangers her children...

A new report warns that humanity has a brief but rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future.

Scientists in the East River watershed collect ‘mountains of data’ to understand water in...

In a first-of-its-kind project, scientists will trace snow from where it arrives in the atmosphere, to where it melts into the ground. 
A lush lawn outside a home in a Thornton, Colo. subdivision photo

Turf replacement bill gains ground

Colorado could soon have a program that would pay property owners to get rid of one of the largest water uses for Western Slope water providers: grass.