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

Julia Bernal (Sandia, Taos and Yuchi-Creek Nations of Oklahoma) in Sandoval County in the Middle Rio Grande Valley photo

Indigenous feminism flows through the fight for water rights on the Rio Grande

An intergenerational group of Pueblo women lead the way on water policy along the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

San Luis Valley ranchers see dividends in water for fish. Are they on to...

A farmer and environmentalist formed an unlikely partnership to improve fish habitat in the San Luis Valley.

Garfield County to lease its Ruedi Reservoir water to help endangered fish in Colorado...

The move is meant to help humpback chub, bonytail, razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow in an often-depleted section of the Colorado River.
San Diego has shored up its water supplies by upgrading the All-American Canal, which takes Colorado River water to California's Imperial Valley. TED WOOD

A quiet revolution: Southwest cities learn to thrive amid drought

Southwestern U.S. cities have embraced innovative strategies for conserving and sourcing water in a changing climate.

Humans are great at giving real problems the side-eye

Two new books provide insights into the willful ignorance that lead to the West’s water woes.
River kayaking photo

Conservation groups want recreation water right tied to natural river features

Three conservation groups in Colorado are working on a revision to a state law that would allow natural river features to get a water right.
Parshall Flume photo

State engineers developing measurement rules for water diversions

Colorado officials are preparing for a future with less water by developing rules for users to measure how much they're taking from streams.

A Colorado River veteran moves upstream and plunges into the drought-stressed river’s mounting woes

Chuck Cullom discusses the Upper Basin's five-point plan, water cut-offs and who IS responsible for water losses.

Colorado River crisis giving tribes new opportunities to right century-old water wrongs

Early involvement in negotiating new Colorado River guidelines will be critical for tribes to determine their future.

Tribal water talks

With growing water shortages on the Colorado River, tribal communities are demanding a bigger role in river management and access to water they legally own but have never actually...