Representatives of the seven Colorado River basin states have begun negotiating new guidelines for reservoir operations to replace the current ones, which expire at the end of 2026.
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
Study finds that livestock growers need more compensation for water conservation
These findings could have basinwide implications for the Upper Colorado River Commission’s System Conservation Program, which in September water managers voted to continue in 2024.
Posted inWater
Colorado lawmakers expected to consider state permit program protecting wetlands
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.
Posted inWater
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.
Posted inWater
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.
Posted inWater
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.
Posted inWater
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.
Posted inThe Runoff
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 […]
Posted inWater
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.
Posted inWater
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.