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

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State water task force issues anti-profiteering report; critics say it falls short

A state group examining water speculation identified eight ideas to stop water hoarding, but failed to provide legislative recommendations.
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Colorado work group fails to reach consensus in anti-speculation report

There's still no consensus about what should be done to prevent investors from profiting off of speculating on the state’s water. 

Lake Powell pipeline plans to tap water promised to the Utes. Why the tribe...

The Ute Indian Tribe is suing to get back its water and asserting that the misappropriation is one of a decades-long string of racially motivated schemes to deprive it of its rights and property.
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Special Report: Colorado launches major new series of stream protections

The process of protecting environmental flows takes an important step forward as three laws passed in 2020 start to take effect this year.
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After Clean Water Act setback, state to ask lawmakers for new authority

State health officials will request to fast-track authority over streams left unprotected after a 2020 rollback of Clean Water Act.

Are New York billionaires different than Colorado’s? Work group eyes new tools to stop...

Imposing hefty taxes on speculative water sales, requiring that water rights purchased by investors be held for several years before they can be resold, and requiring special state approval of such sales are three ideas that might help Colorado protect its water resources from speculators.

Colorado officials crack down on ponds in Arkansas River basin

State engineers in the Arkansas River basin are beginning to crack down on more than 10,000 ponds without legal water rights, which they say are harming senior rights holders.

Colorado mitigation “bank” to offset wetland damage, meet Clean Water Act rules

A developer who disrupts wetlands or streams can offset that impact by buying credits generated from floodplain and ecosystem restoration.

Anti-speculation working group digs in, as concern over profiteering continues

An 18-member work group charged with exploring ways to strengthen Colorado’s anti-speculation water laws is getting down to business.

A Colorado River leader who brokered key pacts to aid West’s vital water artery...

Terry Fulp, Regional Reclamation Director, urges continued collaboration and cooperation to meet the river's tough water management challenges ahead