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

Depositions delve into state engineers’ questions on proposed White River reservoir

As its trial date in water court approaches, hundreds of pages of depositions obtained by Aspen Journalism reveal state engineers’ sticking points regarding a proposed reservoir project they oppose in northwest Colorado.

Colorado, USDA double down on soil, water conservation with $5M program

A five-year, $5 million agreement will help support regenerative agriculture, soil health, water conservation and urban farms.

As the West’s scant snowpack melts, Coloradans brace for a lean water year

Call it the winter that wasn’t. Throughout Colorado a record-warm and dry winter has come to a close. Attention now pivots to spring and the potential for additional snow to...

Photos: Abiquiu Lake, March 2022

This page in our free multimedia library features photos of Abiquiu Lake, which impounds the Rio Chama in northwest New Mexico. Situated between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan...

Unclear waters: How pollution, diversions and drought are squeezing the life out of the...

The Arkansas Valley Conduit promises to bring clean drinking water to more residents of southeast Colorado.
precipitation map ecowest

Map: monthly average precipitation

This map shows total rain and snowfall in the contiguous United States, every month from 1981 to the present. The map's color scale runs from white (no precipitation), to blue (significant precipitation) to red (intense...

State officials draft bill on stream restoration

Colorado officials have drafted a bill aimed at addressing a tension between stream restoration projects and water rights holders.

As pressure to regulate Yampa River continues, locals raise cash to aid compliance effort

Nearly one year after the state ordered Yampa River water users to begin measuring their diversions from the iconic river, local community groups have raised more than $200,000 to help cash-strapped ranchers and others install the devices needed to comply with the law.

Farmers weigh tough choices as uncertain water future looms

With unpredictable water resources, farmers in New Mexico must gamble in order to keep their agricultural production viable.

Quarry in Marble facing scrutiny from federal, state regulators in wake of diesel spill

The operator of Marble’s famed Yule quarry, is facing scrutiny and possible penalties from federal and state regulators after an October diesel spill that shut down operations for nearly two months.