The upper basin’s proposal, however, says the four states will pursue “parallel activities” that include voluntary, temporary and compensated reductions in use, although the upper basin states do not offer a specific amount of water that they will conserve.
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.
Posted inWater
Pitkin County exploring concern that Shoshone deal could harm Roaring Fork
Pitkin County in November hired Golden-based engineering firm Martin and Wood Water Consultants to do a technical analysis and modeling of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers.
Posted inWater
Auction of Colorado River water nets $4.7 million
According to Shuman, of the 15 buyers, six were farmers; four were dairies; two were developers; two were municipalities and one was a farm foundation.
Posted inThe Runoff
The Runoff | Snowpack snapshot, Reclamation announcements and a Troublesome project
Water-related updates from water reporter Heather Sackett and additional context on recent reporting from the Aspen Journalism water desk
Posted inWater
Colorado Springs agrees to give up water rights for Summit County reservoirs
On Jan. 16, the River District board approved the settlement agreement, which includes a commitment from Colorado Springs that the utility will support the River District’s efforts at securing the Shoshone water right.
Posted inWater
Presentation details Lincoln Creek contamination but solutions unclear
Panelists addressed the potential human health impacts from the contaminated water in the creek and at Grizzly Reservoir, a popular spot for summer camping, hiking and fishing.
Posted inWater
Company drops bid for Thompson Creek reservoir water rights
Companies have been able to hang onto these conditional water rights in some cases for over 50 years without using them because Colorado water law allows a would-be water user to reserve their place in the priority system based on when they applied for the right — not when they put water to use — while they work toward developing the water.
Posted inWater
Company with oil and gas interests seeking to keep rights alive for reservoir on Thompson Creek
The reason Puckett has been able to hold on to water rights that are nearly 60 years old without putting them to beneficial use lies in a quirk of Colorado water law that at least one scholar says needs to be reformed.
Posted inWater
Climate report projects continued warming and declining streamflows for Colorado
This warming, which scientists are very confident will come to pass, will drive the other water system changes that Colorado can expect to see.
Posted inWater
Drought task force can’t agree on conservation program recommendations
The lack of recommendations about conservation programs highlights the complicated nature of water in Colorado and the difficulty of achieving consensus among competing interests.