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

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.
Yampa River rafting photo

Craig betting on Yampa River to help transition from coal economy

Craig officials and river enthusiasts are hoping a long-overlooked natural resource just south of town can help create economic resilience.

Colorado River Econ 101

By Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveler From the high country in Rocky Mountain National Park a muddy flush of water rushes downstream, through western Colorado. It turns left, going south...

Video story: Navajo water (full length)

Many residents on the Navajo Reservation are now enjoying clean, running water and solar power in their homes, benefiting from DigDeep’s ambitious project to transform their daily lives with...
Gross Dam aerial. Photo by Mitch Tobin

Photos: Gross Reservoir aerials, May 2019

This photo gallery features images shot during a Lighthawk aerial photo flight over Gross Dam and Reservoir, west of Boulder. Denver Water has proposed raising the dam by 131...

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.

When the West’s rivers surge each spring, older groundwater dominates the runoff

A better understanding of groundwater in the headwaters could improve streamflow predictions

Photos: Senator Wash and Squaw Lake, February 2021

This page features photos of Senator Wash Reservoir and Squaw Lake along the Lower Colorado River. Located just above Imperial Dam on the California/Arizona border, both Senator Wash and Squaw...

California’s dream has turned into water nightmares

A new book looks at the Golden State’s history to understand its current water crisis.

Special Report: As Lake Powell hits record lows, is filling a new drought pool...

Upper Basin states that created their own drought contingency plan still haven’t agreed on the biggest, most controversial element of the plan.