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

Site Features

Matilija Reservoir has filled with sediment, allowing grasses to grow on its surface. | Photo: Paul Jenkin (August 2019)

The dam nobody wants just won’t go away

Dams can stop the natural flow of sand and silt to the sea—resulting in coastal wetland loss and disappearing beaches—as well as preventing fish from reaching vital spawning grounds.
Miller and Wille photo

Monitoring will make sure Aspen snowmaking doesn’t harm creeks

A monitoring program is trying to ensure that Aspen Skiing Co.’s increased water use for snowmaking won’t harm area creeks.
Proposition DD map

It was a squeaker, but Colorado voters say yes to sports betting, cash for...

Colorado voters narrowly approved Proposition DD and created a new sports-betting tax whose proceeds will help fund water projects across the state.
Arkansas-River-at-Granite-July-2019-1170x687

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.

Photos: Colorado River headwaters flight, October 2019

This photo gallery features images shot during a Lighthawk flight to the Colorado River headwaters and surrounding areas. The flight began at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, proceeded...

As wildfires grow more intense, California water managers are learning to rewrite their emergency...

Agencies share lessons learned as they recover from fires that destroyed facilities, contaminated supplies and devastated their customers
Empty Twin Lakes Tunnel

Demand-management groups multiply in Colorado water fight

Several groups are studying demand management, underscoring persistent tensions between the Western Slope and Front Range water managers.

As water prices soar, Colorado lawmakers consider rules to stop profiteering

Colorado's legislature has authorized a study of the state's anti-speculation laws

Many U.S. reservoirs could be rendered useless by sedimentation

There's a looming infrastructure crisis: America’s reservoirs are filling up with sediment.

Supporters say Proposition DD will ‘fund Colorado’s Water Plan,’ but what does that mean?

What kinds of water projects and programs will the ballot measure support?