Nearly two decades into a pervasive drought that has more to do with a warming climate than precipitation, the seven states that rely on the Colorado River are nearing completion of a seven-year plan to protect water in the West. The Upper Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan — one of the most significant proposals […]
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Posted inBusiness, Environment, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government, Water
Arizona officials look to reach Colorado River drought deal on water-use cutbacks
PHOENIX — Progress is being made in talks toward a set of agreements for cities, farmers and tribes to share in Colorado River water cutbacks, according to Arizona water officials. The Arizona Republic reports that the state water officials also want to join in a larger proposed deal to prevent Lake Mead from dropping even further. Arizona water […]
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After long regarding the South Platte as not much more than a sewer, is metro Denver ready to love its river?
The man in the wide-brimmed hat waded into thigh-deep, slowly moving water and, with a whip of his fly rod, sent his cast into a deeper, swifter channel along the far bank where elusive trout were more likely to lurk. The scene might have played out on any stretch of Colorado’s renowned fishing waters. But […]
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Colorado drought gets worse, especially in state’s southwest corner
Colorado’s drought is getting worse, with unusually dry conditions across more than 85 percent of the state. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s weekly report released Thursday shows conditions are worst in the southwest corner of the state, where all or parts of about 20 counties are listed in an exceptional drought, the worst of four categories. The Drought […]
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How the Southwest’s drought has led to a record-breaking increase in invasive mussels on boats coming into Colorado
The intense drought in the Southwest is threatening Colorado water supplies beyond just the lack of rainfall. State wildlife officials report a record number of boats carrying invasive mussels coming into Colorado from out of state. And the arid summer and winter could be to blame. The main culprit is Lake Powell, whose low water levels […]
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Amid drought, a changing climate and population growth, can Colorado’s unique water law system survive?
Colorado’s system governing water use predates the state itself — the oldest water rights in Colorado date to the 1850s. And it is so closely linked to the state that, even when it is used elsewhere, it is often called the “Colorado Doctrine.” But can it survive perhaps the greatest challenge in its history — […]
Posted inBusiness, Coloradans, Environment, Growth, News, Water
Colorado’s hot summer of dry ditches and empty reservoirs has left distressed farmers sweating: Will it get worse?
OLATHE — John Harold charges his Chevy through chest-high stalks of sweet corn. He’s talking on his phone, scribbling notes. He’s got corn-harvesting crews spread across the Uncompahgre Valley, picking more than 100,000 ears a day of his trademarked Olathe Sweet. The fields of onions need weeding. His beans, too. More than 100 fields of […]