Dancing with Deadpool: The 27-year-long Colorado River Crisis

The Colorado River flows 1400 miles from the Rockies to the Gulf of California in Mexico, providing water for 40 million Americans in seven states and 30 Indian Tribes. This water is used by cities (including Denver), industry, power providers, nature, and agriculture.

Since 2000, flows in the river have decreased by 20% compared to the 20th century, and during the last seven years, the flows have decreased by 35%. The two largest reservoirs in the United States were full in 2000 and will be about 25% full at the end of this year. Without substantial cuts in water deliveries, our reservoirs are facing a ‘deadpool’ where water can no longer be reliably released at will. Climate change has been attributed to between 50% and 100% of these flow declines, and the best research suggests additional flow declines are forthcoming.

What does all this mean for residents of Colorado’s Front Range? What can be done about this? What can individuals do to minimize the harm that all this entails?

Bradley H. Udall, Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist / Scholar at Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Center, will join us to present the latest on the Colorado River Crisis.

This event is co-hosted by CRES and New Energy Colorado as part of the 2026 Metro Denver Green Homes Tour Speaker Series. For more information on the tour, visit https://www.newenergycolorado.org/greenhomestours

This event is in person at the Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, with livestream options available for remote viewing.

Please plan to stay for a reception after the main presentation with food, drinks, and networking

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Bradley H. Udall is a Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist / Scholar at Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Center. His expertise includes hydrology and related policy issues of the American West, with a focus on the Colorado River.