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How one organization is working to help keep water in rivers during extreme drought
By Ali Longwell Follow
alongwell@postindependent.com at Aspen Times
· July 10, 2026
· 1 min read
Colorado is known as the headwaters state, meaning that nearly all of its water supply originates inside the state’s borders as precipitation, primarily mountain snowpack. In a year like this, where the winter’s dismal snowpack led streamflows to reach unprecedented lows, some organizations are a...
Key takeaway In a year like this, where the winter’s dismal snowpack led streamflows to reach unprecedented lows, some organizations are a...
Why this matters in Aspen News
In the Roaring Fork Valley, the efforts of organizations like Colorado Water Trust are crucial to maintaining healthy streamflows, particularly in a year with dismal snowpack like this one. The prior appropriation doctrine, enshrined in the state constitution, can complicate flows in local rivers like the Roaring Fork, where water rights holders may have seniority over others. However, through tools like instream flow agreements and water rights acquisitions, Colorado Water Trust has been able to return significant amounts of water to streams statewide, including some of the larger rivers that ultimately feed into the Colorado River. For Aspen and Pitkin County, this work has tangible benefits, supporting the local ecosystem and helping to mitigate the effects of drought and climate change on the valley's natural resources. As the region continues to experience extreme weather events, the importance of preserving streamflows and protecting water resources will only continue to grow.
About this story
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Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Colorado is known as the headwaters state, meaning that nearly all of its water supply originates inside the state’s borders as precipitation, primarily mountain snowpack. In a year like this, where the winter’s dismal snowpack led streamflows to reach unprecedented lows, some organizations are a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ali Longwell Follow
alongwell@postindependent.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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