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

Water photo 1

Why Wall Street investors’ trading California water futures is nothing to fear – and...

Some worry about Wall Street’s involvement in trading water, but two researchers argue the risks are likely overblown.
Colorado distiller photo 1

Colorado distillers, builders and restaurateurs get water savvy this Earth Day

Earth Day offers a chance to highlight some Colorado projects and businesses that are moving the needle on water sustainability.

Denver investment fund raising $5M for water tech startups

The Denver-based Colorado River Basin Fund is raising $5 million to help promising new water technology companies bring their wares to market.
Madeline Ryder planting mesquite in an in-ground rainwater harvesting basin in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. Source: Watershed Management Group

Millions of Americans lack access to running water. An ancient method of capturing rainwater...

Advocates say rainwater harvesting is a key component to improving water access and countering climate change

As pandemic hammers its finances, Vail pulls out of state cloud seeding program

Vail Resorts Inc., one of the largest financial contributors to Colorado’s cloud seeding program, has dropped out this year, leaving a major hole in the program’s budget.

The promises and pitfalls of mapping small streams

After nearly 136 years of work, the U.S. Geological Survey still faces problems mapping small streams. Now hikers and lasers are on the solutions menu.

Testing sewage can give school districts, campuses and businesses a heads-up on the spread...

Studies have shown that testing wastewater offers an early warning signal about the prevalance of the coronavirus in the community.
Solar water heaters on roof

Why aren’t solar water heaters more popular in the U.S., even in solar-friendly states...

Despite widespread global success and huge opportunity for reducing fossil fuel demand, solar water heating is virtually unheard of in the U.S.
Homestake Creek flows from Homestake Reservoir near Red Cliff.

Reservoir-release pilot project in Colorado to test possible compact call

Front Range water providers recently released water stored in Homestake Reservoir to test how to get water downstream to the state line in the event of a Colorado River Compact call.
Old cottonwoods line the banks and trails of the historic Denver Highline Canal

Denver’s High Line Canal a study in using something old to solve new problem

Infrastructure built more than a century ago still endures, but some of Colorado’s old irrigation ditches have been repurposed to meet the moment. The High Line Canal—a 71-mile-long former irrigation conveyance turned greenway and stormwater filtration tool—winds its way through the Denver metro area as an artery of infrastructure boasting a story of adaptation.