The Colorado River seems to be on everyone’s mind lately. News reports have mentioned
climate change, drought, lower water levels and diminishing flows on the river. Some of
Boulder’s water comes from the Colorado River.
The city gets its water from three different sources, which helps make Boulder more resilient to
natural disasters and able to adjust its water sources as needed. These include several high-
quality water sources both east and west of the Continental Divide, including Boulder Creek’s
headwaters and the upper Colorado River. If Boulder receives less water from the Colorado
River, it may increase its reliance on the Boulder Creek basin water supply.
Additionally, it may become increasingly important to conserve water. The city’s Water
Conservation Program helps to reduce our community’s water use by providing guidance on
efficient fixtures, xeriscaping and irrigation system improvements.
Each May, the city assesses its water supply and determines whether or not to declare a drought
and implement water use restrictions. This determination is primarily based on snowpack levels
in the mountains west of Boulder, the city’s reservoir storage levels and its allocation of water
from Northern Water’s Colorado-Big Thompson. The city’s Drought Plan provides guidance for
recognizing and responding to droughts that may affect the water supply.
Using water more efficiently and sustainably can help reduce Boulder’s use of Colorado River
water. Outside the home: There are many ways to reduce outdoor water use, such as landscaping
with plants that don’t require much water, making sure irrigation systems are working properly,
or irrigating outside the hottest part of the day. Inside the home: Nearly one trillion gallons of
water are wasted each year in U.S. homes in preventable ways. Many common household leaks
are quick to find and easy to fix.
The city continually plans for long-term water resilience by investing in infrastructure, assessing
the impact of different climate change scenarios and anticipating future water supply and
demand. In addition to this planning, the city’s Water Conservation Program helps guide
efficient and sustainable water use in the community.