water
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Aurora’s largest single water user on track to exceed allocation amid drought restrictions
Aurora’s largest single water user, Niagara Bottling, met with city officials last week to address water allocations amid drought restrictions. The company has not used more than its allotted amount yet this year but is trending in that direction, according to Aurora Water spokesperson Shonnie Cline. “They’ve been operating per normal,” Cline said. “If they…
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Aurora sees ‘incredible compliance’ on water restrictions from residential users, less from commercial users
Aurora Water has issued more than 1,750 warnings in three months In the three months since the Aurora City Council passed a Stage 1 drought declaration and watering restrictions, Aurora Water is seeing “incredible compliance” from residential properties. But the agency hopes to see more cooperation from others, especially commercial users. Aurora has been under…
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Aurora mayor warns of shutting off water to Aurora Public Schools because of ‘very green’ lawns
Aurora’s mayor is warning Aurora Public Schools that it could have its irrigation water shut off, saying he saw green lawns at schools that “were being watered in defiance” of the city’s watering restrictions. Mayor Mike Coffman was driving past Rangeview High School a week ago and noticed “all of their lawns were very green,…
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Douglas County water plan entering public review phase
After more than two years of formal work, Douglas County officials are moving into the public review phase of a countywide water plan they say will help guide future development and water resources through 2050. The Douglas County Water Commission recently submitted an updated draft of the plan to county commissioners and is now seeking…
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With no 7-state deal, federal agency turns to 10-year Colorado River strategy
The U.S. Department of the Interior is moving forward with a 10-year framework for managing the Colorado River after 2026, outlining a plan to issue new operating guidelines every two years as the seven basin states remain unable to reach an agreement. Even so, the Trump administration is still pushing for a seven-state process to…
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Polis declares statewide drought emergency
Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday declared a statewide drought emergency, citing the record-low snowpack and prolonged warmer temperatures across Colorado. He also activated the next phase of the state’s drought response plan. Polis had placed Colorado under Phase 2 in March. “Today, I am issuing a statewide drought emergency to support Coloradans, our economy, farmers…
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Tapped: Worst winter in memory triggers cascading economic strain in Colorado mountain towns
Editor’s Note: The Denver metro region sits at the center of one of the American West’s most complex and consequential water challenges. This series examines the interconnected systems that determine how the region secures, stores, and conserves its water while navigating the competing demands of fast‑growing urban communities and the increasingly unpredictable mountain snowpack that…
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Tapped: As fire risk climbs, Colorado faces threat to drinking water
Specialists surveying Colorado’s forests know this year will be challenging. Snow melted too quickly, strong winds dried out the trees, and the early signs of danger are already settling across the landscape. Wildfire season is no longer confined to a few months — it’s a year‑round reality, they said. And this year, the risk is…
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Tapped: Parker makes strides toward renewable water supply
Editor’s Note: The Denver metro region sits at the center of one of the American West’s most complex and consequential water challenges. This series examines the interconnected systems that determine how the region secures, stores, and conserves its water while navigating the competing demands of fast‑growing urban communities and the increasingly unpredictable mountain snowpack that…
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Colorado approves $13 million for 48 water projects amid statewide drought
The Colorado Water Conservation Board recently approved an additional $13 million in funding for 48 projects through its Water Plan Grant and Water Supply Reserve Fund Programs for drought and wildfire-impacted communities. To date, the board has allocated more than $40 million to 136 local projects across the state. “Organizations across the state are implementing…