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

Salton Sea photo 1

Long troubled Salton Sea may finally be getting what it most needs: action —...

The shrinking desert lake has long been a trouble spot beset by rising salinity and unhealthy dust blowing from its increasingly exposed bed.
Parks and Wildlife officer photo

Colorado reaches settlement on Chatfield Reservoir environmental water plan

Colorado water officials have reached a settlement removing one of the last barriers to a new water program in Chatfield Reservoir.
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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.
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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.
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Colorado lawmakers say “yes” to more than $53M in new water funding

Colorado lawmakers approved bills to help finance the Colorado Water Plan, protect watersheds, mitigate wildfires and recover from drought.
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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.
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.

Basin roundtables push back on Colorado Water Conservation Board’s proposed code of conduct

The state water board is encouraging roundtables to adopt a code of conduct, but some Western Slope roundtables are pushing back.
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As iconic Yampa River flows drop, Colorado moves to tighten oversight

With drought continuing to grip the American West, Colorado is declaring one of its last, mostly free-flowing rivers as over-appropriated.
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Crystal River Wild & Scenic advocates hope to learn from the past

Residents of Colorado's Pitkin County are reviving efforts to secure a Wild & Scenic designation on the Crystal River, but it won't be easy.