The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is working to update the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI), a technical analysis of water supply and demand forecasts for a wide variety of water uses across the state. The data in previous SWSI studies has informed discussions among Colorado’s nine basin roundtables, and was incorporated into Colorado’s Water … Continue reading Statewide Water Supply Initiative Update
In spring 2016, tests showed that groundwater used for drinking in Security, Widefield and Fountain had been contaminated with high levels of perfluorinated compounds or (PFCs). PFCs are thought to have been released during firefighting drills at Peterson Air Force Base, north of Security-Widefield, between 1970 and 1990. Over the past year, to avoid contaminated … Continue reading Alternative Transfer Methods in Action
Agricultural runoff is a prominent source of excess nutrients in water sources, but this nonpoint source of water pollution can originate with excess fertilizer being used on urban landscapes as well. On April 13, 2017, the Colorado Foundation for Water Education was joined by Steve Lundt with the Barr Lake and Milton Reservoir Watershed Association … Continue reading Preventing Water Pollution Starts in Your Backyard
Each year brings warnings of drought and with it, the implementation of water conservation measures. How do climatologists know if a lack of precipitation is a drought indicator or simply part of the earth’s natural cycle? In a word: Data. Everything water related, including drought, begins with precipitation. Systematic weather reporting in Colorado began in … Continue reading A Single Drop
CFWE is blessed to have a diverse and helpful Board of Trustees. All 22 of them are committed to making CFWE the best water education organization in the state of Colorado, and I greatly appreciate their expertise and guidance. Its not surprising that they, like our staff, are a bunch of "water geeks" who spend … Continue reading Water Books from the Board of Trustees
The State of Colorado Coal CFWE's most recent Headwaters magazine on energy took a look at coal in Colorado. Writer Josh Zaffos interviewed Jack Ihle, Xcel Energy’s director of environmental policy about the switch from coal to natural gas... Even with the rush toward natural gas, the push for renewables, and potential carbon emissions regulations, … Continue reading The State of Colorado Coal
As those close to me know, I am a poor student of history. It’s not that I see no value in learning about the past (being “doomed to repeat it” and all) but most historical films or books don’t hold my attention. And this just makes me feel guilty. I am an educated woman of … Continue reading What I’m Reading: The Emerald Mile
Drought can devastate Colorado's agricultural industry, as we've seen this year in the Arkansas River Basin. An article pulled from this blog for the Grand Junction Free Press' Water Lines column begins to highlight the impacts southeastern Colorado is seeing: Area producers are seeing economic impacts — the 2013 winter wheat crop was almost nonexistent, … Continue reading Climate and Cattle
May 5-11 is National Drinking Water Week-- as the EPA does their part to involve citizens and promote drinking water protection, consider source water in Colorado. As a headwaters state, we're responsible for the water that nourishes 19 states and Mexico, plus we take pride in the quality of our water and … Continue reading Celebrate Source Water During National Drinking Water Week
By Mark Shively, Douglas County Water Resource Authority This week I attended the WaterSmart Innovations conference in Las Vegas. The event is attended by water efficiency experts from all over the United States, as well as other nations. It’s hosted by Southern Nevada Water Authority, the water provider to the City of Las Vegas. Attendees … Continue reading Water Smart: reflections on a conference and meeting future water demand
