This collection of Colorado Basin water teaching resources has been compiled by the Hutchins Water Center and will hopefully grow over time. Because of our location, this collection largely features Upper Colorado River Basin information and experiences. Feel free to send your suggestions for additions to Joel Sholtes.
Lake Powell Hitting Record Lows: Is filling the drought pool the answer? (2021; 6 minutes)
Short film by Water Education Colorado's Fresh Water News on whether strategically reducing use in the Upper Basin should be done to protect water levels at Lake Powell. Includes an interview with the Hutchins Water Center's former Director, Hannah Holm.
Water in the Desert: The Grand Valley and its Rivers (2014; 30 minutes)
This documentary, produced by the Hutchins Water Center at CMU and Gen9 Productions, tells the story of the evolving relationship between the Grand Valley and the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers.
River of Sorrow: Inheriting the Dolores River (2016; 44 minutes)
Film produced by Rig to Flip explores the impact of McPhee Dam and recent dry years on the Dolores River, farmers, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, fish and boaters.
Remains of a River (2012; Full Movie: 47 minutes; Ten segments 4-5 minutes each)
From the mountains of Wyoming to the lettuce fields of Mexico, past dams and reservoirs and diversion canals, through plains and canyons and the lights of Las Vegas, Will Stauffer-Norris and Zak Podmore hiked, paddled and slogged their way down the Green and Colorado Rivers to the sea.
Down the Colorado: Portraits of the River (2014; 22 minutes in 5 episodes)
In summer 2012, graduates from Colorado College walked, kayaked, and rafted from Rocky Mountain National Park to Lake Powell along the Colorado River. Along the way they talked to over 30 people involved in the Colorado: farmers, ranchers, water managers, professional rafters, conservationists, and more. Their journey is told in 5 chapters. “Complicating the Divide” examines transbasin diversions. “Profit and Play” explores recreation. “The Desert Blooms” looks at the booming fracking industry and agriculture. “Confluence” ponders solutions to the Colorado’s myriad problems. “A New Way Downstream” showcases their solar-powered voyage across Lake Powell.
Unnatural Wonder: A 16-day journey to the heart of the Colorado River (2018; 29 minutes)
The Arizona Republic explores the Grand Canyon and how its ecology has changed since the Glen Canyon Dam was built upstream. Scroll down through the article to find the link to the film.
Tributary Voices
Literary and Rhetorical Exploration of the Colorado River
By Paul Formisano
University of Nevada Press 2022
Science Be Dammed
How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River
By Eric Kuhn and John Fleck
University of Arizona Press 2021
Public Waters
Lessons from Wyoming for the American West
By Anne MacKinnon
University of New Mexico Press 2021
Downriver
Into the Future of Water in the West
By Heather Hansman
University of Chicago Press 2019
Confluence
Navigating the Personal & Political on Rivers of the New West
By Zak Podmore
Torrey House Press 2019
River of Lost Souls
The Science Politics and Greed behind the Gold King Mine Disaster
By Jonathan Thompson
Torrey House Press 2018
As Precious as Blood
The Western Slope in Colorado’s Water Wars, 1900–1970
By Steven C. Schulte
University Press of Colorado 2016
Water is for Fighting Over
and Other Myths about Water in the West
By John Fleck
Island Press 2016
The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
By Kevin Fedarko
Simon & Schuster 2014
US Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado River Basin
Contains water supply news and information for Reclamation facilities across the Upper Basin.
Upper Colorado River Commission
The UCRC is the interstate agency responsible for proper allocation of Colorado River Water to the Upper Basin States and compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. Website includes current policy information and documents.
Water and Tribes Initiative
Includes a wide range of resources on Native American Tribes’ water rights and issues in the Colorado River Basin.
- Colorado Water Conservation Board
- Utah Division of Water Resources
- New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission
- Wyoming State Engineer’s Office
2020 & 2021 Upper Colorado River Basin Water Forum Sessions
Sessions focus on a wide variety of issues related to water supply and ecological health.
Center for Colorado River Studies Webinars - Utah State University
Numerous webinars related to Colorado River management and ecosystem health.
Introduction to Colorado Water Law
2021 webinar presented by the Hutchins Water Center featuring Grand Junction water attorney Rob Pierce.
Rocky Mountain Water
The stories of natural, impacted and managed water in the Upper Gunnison River Basin
The Hardest Working River in the West
A StoryMap Exploring the Colorado River Through Data
Colorado River Research Group Policy Briefs
A series of white papers authored by consortium of Colorado River scholars.
Future of the Colorado River Project
A series of white papers from Utah State University's Center for Colorado River Studies
Reports Published by the Hutchins Water Center
Topics range from snow science to Colorado experiences with interstate compact administration.
- Shortage indicates problems up and down the Colorado River, Grand Junction Sentinel, 8/28/21
- Fire and water connect the West, Grand Junction Sentinel, Sept 28, 2020
- How water flows through the Las Colonias River Park, Grand Junction Sentinel, July 16, 2020
Articles from The Water Desk at CU Boulder
The Water Desk’s mission is to increase the volume, depth and impact of journalism connected to Western water issues, with a focus on the Colorado River Basin.
Aspen Journalism's Water Coverage
Reporting on water and rivers in the Roaring Fork and upper Colorado river basins.
A project of Water Education Colorado
Hutchins Water Center presentation at the Western Colorado Food & Farm Forum 1/22/22
Citizen's Guides - Water Education Colorado
10 Citizen’s Guides to critical water topics, can be read on-line for free or purchased.
Factsheet from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy