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

Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill to help regions comply with obligations to deliver water to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.

Bill providing millions in relief to Republican, Rio Grande river basins clears first hurdle

Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill to help regions comply with obligations to deliver water to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.
Kremmling rancher and fly-fishing guide Paul Bruchez photo

Kremmling rancher picked to replace Schwartz on state water board

Gov. Polis has appointed Kremmling rancher Paul Bruchez to replace former state Sen. Gail Schwartz on the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

Troubled waters

Confronted with the specter of a New Mexico parched by climate change, some have begun to push back against a water model that focuses primarily on putting as much water to use as possible.
Some of the snowmelt flowing in the Blue River as it joins the Colorado River photo

State officials gear up for “difficult conversations” on the Colorado River

The seven U.S. states that share Colorado River water will soon renegotiate water management guidelines.
Gov. Jared Polis on announces Water ’22 photo

State water education campaign focuses on individual actions

At the meeting of the Colorado Water Congress, Gov. Jared Polis unveiled a statewide initiative to educate Coloradans on water conservation.
Glen Canyon Dam photo

As Colorado River reservoirs shrink, feds ask for work-arounds for 2022

As drought threatens Colorado River reservoirs' ability to generate hydropower, the Bureau of Reclamation is creating work-arounds.

Special Report: Climate change is sapping Colorado’s water supplies. Can its hallmark water law...

Colorado’s “first-in-time, first-in-right” prior appropriation doctrine is coming under increasing scrutiny as rivers and reservoirs dry out.
Lake Powell photo

Working within Colorado River’s 1922 water compact for 21st century focus of annual meeting

Water leaders from each of the Colorado River basin states will soon meet for the annual Colorado River Water Users Association Conference.
Cow Creek photo

Ouray County asks state water board to delay filing aimed at instream flow protection

Ouray County is asking the state water board to delay a court filing designed to protect streamflows and resolve issues in a related case.
Integrated Water Resources Plan land photo

Aspen officials release plan laying out 50 years of water projects

Aspen’s new water resource plan outlines the strategy for creating emergency storage to address threats to existing supplies.