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

Despite pandemic, Denver Water’s lead reduction program shows promising early results

One year after it launched one of the largest lead treatment programs in the United States, Denver Water is slightly ahead of schedule.

As the Salton Sea shrinks, it leaves behind a toxic reminder of the cost...

Scientists fear that eventually the toxic residue of more than a century of agricultural runoff will be blown into the air — and into the lungs of residents.

Mobile-home residents stuck in a regulatory roundabout

It's unclear whether a new law could improve water quality in the Eagle River Village park, but legislators want to pressure owners to do more.
Water lab photo

Citizens across the country are questioning, and sometimes fighting, chloramines in drinking water

People are fighting against disinfectants in their drinking water that cause rashes, breathing problems and more.

Polis signs five major water bills into law: instream flows, anti-speculating, and more

Colorado enacted five major pieces of water legislation, including providing more water for environmental flows and studying how to limit water speculation.

As more sanitation districts test wastewater for COVID-19, questions remain on interpreting the data

Wastewater can inform public health departments of new variants in the community, but the data collected is still inconclusive.

Some still don’t have a reliable water source near the headwaters of the Colorado...

Residents of a mobile home park near Gunnison are often left without water because of unreliable supplies.
Beach at Barr Lake, where agencies are working to remove toxic algae. May 31, 2022. Credit: Jerd Smith, Fresh Water News

Heading to the lake? Colorado trying new tools, including P-Free lawns, to combat toxic...

Colorado water officials hope to combat algae blooms caused by rising temperatures and an increased use of phosphorus-laced lawn fertilizers.

Advocacy and science work together to improve water quality in Coal Creek

Two non-profit groups in Crested Butte work to clean up waters still polluted from the Keystone and Standard mines.

Rafting season ready to launch, but COVID-19 worries running high

Colorado’s virus-related restrictions are forcing commercial rafting companies to create social distance on unruly rivers and face the potential for smaller crowds.