At Aspen Journalism, our mission is to shine a light on the stories that matter most to the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond — stories that require time, context and careful reporting. In this edition of the Roundup, we share the latest on the high-stakes negotiations over the Colorado River, as the seven states dependent on the river failed to cut a deal on sharing future shortages by a Nov. 11 deadline set by the federal government. Cue the rising uncertainty and finger pointing, aggravated by the driest start to winter in nine years reminding us how vulnerable we are to the whims of nature.
Also from Water Desk Editor Heather Sackett, advocates for the Crystal River are looking at a water right that would protect its peak flows, with a team of scientists and volunteers taking to its banks recently to measure the impact of high water on the health of the riparian environment. It’s part of a long process of vetting options to keep the Crystal as one of the last remaining free-flowing rivers in the state.
And, in case you missed it before casting your ballot, Eleanor Bennett, reporting for our joint Social Justice Desk with Aspen Public Radio, filed a story before the Nov. 4 elections breaking down the debates that shaped one of the more contentious local school board races in recent memory.
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No deal on Colorado River
Seven states fail to reach agreement by feds’ Nov. 11 deadline
By Heather Sackett | November 12, 2025
Negotiators from the seven Colorado River Basin states failed to meet the Nov. 11 deadline to agree on how to share dwindling river supplies, exposing sharp divides between the Upper and Lower Basin states. Arizona, facing the brunt of the shortages and leading the rhetorical push on behalf of the Lower Basin, is accusing the Upper Basin of ducking its duty to share in deeper cuts. But Colorado and other headwater states argue they already live with shortages whenever river flows are low and should not bear responsibility for overuse downstream. The stalemate leaves uncertainty for 40 million people who rely on the river as the 2026 expiration of current management rules nears, prompting the threat of federal intervention.
Protecting the peak on the Crystal
Scientists studying tree rings as first step toward instream-flow safeguards
By Heather Sackett | October 31, 2025
Researchers and volunteers along the Crystal River are testing how peak spring flows shape the river’s ecosystem by studying tree growth and flood history. Their goal is to show how high flows help sustain cottonwoods and other riparian vegetation vital to river health. The findings could justify a new “peak flow” instream water right — protecting the Crystal’s natural flood cycles from future diversions or dams. This work is part of a broader effort to keep the Crystal as one of Colorado’s last free-flowing rivers, ensuring its ecological integrity and resilience as pressures on water supplies across the West continue to mount.
Politicized issues, out-of-state funds and partisan support divide RFSD board race
Two candidates challenge status quo with views on arming teachers, DEI, sex ed
By Eleanor Bennett | October 30, 2025
Eleanor Bennett covered the contested Roaring Fork School District Board campaign leading into the Nov. 4 election. The non-partisan election highlighted partisan issues by including topics like gun safety, DEI and gender-inclusive sex education. Beyond policy, candidates’ campaign funding sources drew interest regarding local versus out-of-state donors, with one candidate raising 70% of campaign funds from out-of-state. “Why do funders who have no connection to our schools want to have an influence on what goes on in the classrooms that my kids are in, that I’m subbing in?,” said District E incumbent Kathryn Kuhlenberg. When the ballots were counted after the story ran, Kuhlenberg received more than 70% of the votes, defeating challenger Elizabeth Taylor. In District A, Tammy Nimmo won her race against Jodi Barr by a similar margin.
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