Staging version updated 12/5/2023

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

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.

As pandemic hammers its finances, Vail pulls out of state cloud seeding program

Vail Resorts Inc., one of the largest financial contributors to Colorado’s cloud seeding program, has dropped out this year, leaving a major hole in the program’s budget.

Vail Resorts’ cancellation of cloud seeding this winter could mean less water in streams

Due to budget shortfalls, Vail Resorts has pulled this winter’s funding for its cloud seeding program, potentially reducing the amount of water flowing down the Colorado River this spring.

The promises and pitfalls of mapping small streams

After nearly 136 years of work, the U.S. Geological Survey still faces problems mapping small streams. Now hikers and lasers are on the solutions menu.

Map: Explore drone, aerial and terrestrial imagery from The Water Desk

Use this interactive map to browse our expanding collection of free-to-use photos and videos captured by drones, planes and ground-based photographers.

Colorado eyes foreclosure against troubled Pueblo water company with $1.4 million in delinquencies

An Arkansas Valley watercompany has left the State of Colorado on the hook for nearly $1.4 million and may face a rare foreclosure proceeding by the Colorado Water Conservation Board as a result.

Degrees of warming: How a hotter, thirstier atmosphere wreaks havoc on water supplies in...

Colorado's Pitkin County is grappling with higher temperatures, declining streamflows and drier soils caused by climate change.
Big beaches are growing, and stabilizing, along the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon just above Lake Powell, like this one captured in early October. A recent study on the secondary economic impacts of a water-use-reduction program intended to deliver more water to Lake Powell found some jobs could be lost across western Colorado.

Study finds small number of jobs lost under demand-management program

A recent study of a Colorado demand-management program found that the benefits would be comparable to the negative secondary impacts.
Canoe at pond without water rights

State officials set sights on ponds without water rights

Colorado officials say ponds without water rights throughout the region are depleting the Colorado River system.