The Water Desk

With Colorado River negotiators in a 'conclave,' other experts are on the outside looking in

Alex Hager

Water experts gathered at the University of Colorado, Boulder for talks about the future of the Colorado River. Top policymakers were notably absent.

Climate & Environment

New study shows huge groundwater losses along Colorado River

Alex Hager

Researchers found massive depletion of the region's groundwater, adding more stress to the drought-stricken Colorado River.

The Yampa River Park begins to take shape in Craig, Colorado, on May 12. Facing an impending closure of its nearby coal plant, the city has invested more in recreational opportunities to draw tourists and new workers.

Climate & Environment

When flows are low, river recreators seek out new allies and avoid making enemies

Luke Runyon

A hotter, drier future means advocates have to get creative to keep water in streams.

Kayakers paddle down Slaughterhouse Falls on the Roaring Fork River on June 15, 2021. Changes to Colorado water law in the early 2000s gave river recreation advocates a stronger voice in keeping streams flowing.

Climate & Environment

Colorado communities have spent millions of dollars on whitewater parks. Are they worthwhile?

Heather Sackett/Aspen Journalism

Putting a value on the state’s river recreation economic impact is a challenge.

David Hajoglou paddles through the Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden, Colorado, on April 21. Recreators hold special legal protections in the state, but some say it's time for the law to evolve.

Climate & Environment

Colorado has unique protections for river recreation, but do they have enough legal muscle?

Alex Hager

Parks for whitewater kayaking hold a special legal status, but some river experts say it's time for Colorado's water law to evolve.

Government

Colorado River bigwigs make 'disturbing' retreat from the public eye amid tense talks

Alex Hager

Top water negotiators declined to speak at an upcoming conference amid closed-door meetings about the future of the water supply for 40 million people.

Climate & Environment

The Colorado River needs some 'shared pain' to break a deadlock, water experts say

Alex Hager

The authors of a new memo say that states need to take shared water cutbacks to manage the Colorado River going forward.

Climate & Environment

Snowflakes, death threats and dollar signs: Cloud seeding is at a crossroads

Alex Hager

Utah is using a technology that can add more water to the state's supply. Others in the Colorado River basin are looking to expand.

Russ Scholl blows on a handful of snow at Breckenridge Ski Resort on February 11, 2025. He created the "periodic table of snow," which contains more than 130 different slang terms.

Climate & Environment

A longtime ski instructor in the Rocky Mountains has made over 130 words for snow

Alex Hager

A Colorado ski instructor turns his encyclopedic knowledge of snow into a chart of more than 130 terms, including cold smoke, mashed potatoes and ... screaming lobster!

Nevada's John Entsminger, Arizona's Tom Buschatzke, and California's JB Hamby sit on a panel of state water leaders at the Colorado River Water Users Association annual conference in Las Vegas on December 5, 2024. State leaders say they want to avoid litigation, but they are quietly preparing for that outcome.

Climate & Environment

Some Colorado River states want a new federal review of water management plans

Alex Hager

The Lower Basin states of California, Arizona and Nevada are asking for a fresh look at proposals for sharing the shrinking water supply and changes to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.