While it is not always clear whether a wetland has a direct surface connection to a qualifying stream, experts say the decision removed federal protections from at least half of Colorado’s wetlands.

Author Archives: Heather Sackett
Heather Sackett is the managing editor at Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Water Desk. She has also reported for The Denver Post and the Telluride Daily Planet. Heather has a master’s degree from CU’s Center for Environmental Journalism and her reporting has been recognized by the Colorado Press Association.
EPA report says Lincoln Creek contamination is naturally occurring
The EPA is authorized to address elevated metals concentrations only from human-caused sources, not contamination from natural sources.
State lawmakers move to ban nonfunctional turf planting
Up until now, developers have been able to continue to install grass that municipalities would later incentivize to remove.
Weighing options for protecting the Crystal
Some residents of the Crystal Valley, along with Pitkin County, have long been proponents of a Wild & Scenic designation. But others, wary of any federal involvement, have balked at the idea.
New head of state water board talks conservation programs with River District
At the River District’s quarterly meeting, held Wednesday, Ris talked with board members about two water conservation programs, both of which have long been contentious and critical issues for the district.
The Runoff | Discriminatory relic survives in 75-year-old upper basin agreement
Water managers are talking tools for drought, a new conservation study, a fish kill in Aspen and reconsidering provisions laid out in a 75-year-old document that makes up the law of the river. Let’s get into the details. Thank you for reading and supporting this nonprofit, community-funded journalism. — Heather SackettManaging Editor and Water Desk […]
Improving resilience to drought
If the soil treatment techniques work and are able to be scaled up, they could be part of the solution for drought-stressed crops and ranchers throughout the state.
East Mesa Ditch seeking funding for repairs
Finding creative arrangements with irrigators to boost streamflows on the Crystal during dry periods has long been a desire of some Healthy Rivers board members.
The Roundup | Greenlight for system conservation program
This week, Aspen Journalism reports on the Sept. 21 decision by Colorado River managers to continue a water conservation program originally designed to protect critical elevations in the nation’s two largest reservoirs.
Water managers vote to continue conservation program, with tweaks, in 2024
The Upper Colorado River Commission decided unanimously to continue the federally funded System Conservation Program in 2024 — but with a narrower scope that explores demand management concepts and supports innovation and local drought resiliency on a longer-term basis.