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

‘It’s a different lake now’: As Lake Powell drops, an iconic marina chases deeper...

Titus Crawford spent four days calling Lake Powell boaters this spring. After a record low snowpack and off-the-charts March heat, the reservoir was on track to dip so low...

CWCB changes course, will open most demand management meetings to public

The Colorado Water Conservation Board has decided to hold upcoming workgroup meetings about a potential water-demand management effort in public

Special Report: Climate change is sapping Colorado’s water supplies. Can its hallmark water law...

Colorado’s “first-in-time, first-in-right” prior appropriation doctrine is coming under increasing scrutiny as rivers and reservoirs dry out.

Scientists Warned of a Salton Sea Disaster. No One Listened.

California’s Salton Sea offers a tableau of dead wildlife, toxic dust, and neglect. It was long in the making.

Photos: Colorado River and tributaries, April 2019

This photo gallery features images shot during a road trip along the Colorado River and two of its tributaries in Colorado: the Blue River and White River. DateApril...

14 Denver-area cities to coordinate drought response

As drought conditions intensify across Colorado, at least 14 cities in the Denver metro area say they will join forces to warn residents of looming water shortages and the need to cut back use this spring.

Praying for rain

The Zuni tribe's homeland is one of the most parched sections of the country. The tribe has already declared three drought emergencies in the last 15 years. Will it survive the next one?

Photos: Heron Lake, New Mexico, August 2022

This page features ground-based photos of Heron Lake, a reservoir that stores water for the San Juan-Chama Project in northern New Mexico. Located along Willow Creek, near its confluence with...
Blue Mesa Reservoir photo

La Niña likely to continue, intensifying drought, wildfires; snowpack hits 91% of average

Colorado's drought may continue into the fall, bringing a third year of below-average snowpack and streamflows and high wildfire danger.
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Proposition DD barely squeaks by

Colorado voters have narrowly passed a measure that will legalize sports betting and use the taxes raised to fund projects outlined in the Colorado Water Plan.