Water Under Pressure BONUS: The Colorado Water Plan

03/29/23 • 15 min

In January 2023, a new Colorado Water Plan was released. This document evokes hope and caution as the scarcity of water looms over our state. It’s a guide for how to bring people together and prioritize water projects across Colorado that serve the most uses and benefits. In this bonus episode, we talk with Lauren Ris, Deputy Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, to learn more about how this plan came together and its significance to our state.

Water, Under Pressure is a podcast about the increasing demands on water in Colorado. And how the choices we make now could tear us apart or help us to navigate our uncertain future.

Learn more about the podcast and people featured at waterunderpressure.org.

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If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible donation.

The Institute for Science & Policy is a catalyst for thoughtful dialogue, working toward solutions on society’s greatest challenges with scientific thinking, empathy, and inclusivity. The Institute is a project of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The podcast was produced in partnership with House of Pod.

Episode Credits:

Reporting, writing, hosting: Kristan Uhlenbrock

Producing and marketing: Tricia Waddell

Additional reporting and fact-checking: Nicole Delaney and Kate Long

Theme music: Alex Paul, Birds of Play

Sound design: Jesse Boynton with tracks from Epidemic Sounds

Water, Under Pressure is a podcast about the increasing demands on water in Colorado. And how the choices we make now could tear us apart or help us to navigate our uncertain future.

Learn more about the podcast and people featured at waterunderpressure.org.

Sign-up for the Institute for Science & Policy’s mailing list.

If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible donation.

Episode Credits:

Reporting, writing, hosting: Kristan Uhlenbrock

Producing and marketing: Tricia Waddell

Additional reporting and fact-checking: Nicole Delaney and Kate Long

Theme music: Alex Paul, Birds of Play

Sound design: Jesse Boynton with tracks from Epidemic Sounds

Previous Episode

Water Under Pressure BONUS: Power and Speculation

Control of water. Who has it, who doesn’t? How was water historically used? What is it being used for today? And what about future uses? In this first bonus episode, we are talking about power and decision-making, including the controversial topic of water speculation, with James Eklund, a prominent Colorado water lawyer. The conflict over water speculation goes deeper than just dollars. It’s sometimes about values.

Water, Under Pressure is a podcast about the increasing demands on water in Colorado. And how the choices we make now could tear us apart or help us to navigate our uncertain future.

Learn more about the podcast and people featured at waterunderpressure.org.

Sign-up for the Institute for Science & Policy’s mailing list.

If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible donation.

Episode Credits:

Reporting, writing, hosting: Kristan Uhlenbrock

Producing and marketing: Tricia Waddell

Additional reporting and fact-checking: Nicole Delaney and Kate Long

Theme music: Alex Paul, Birds of Play

Sound design: Jesse Boynton with tracks from Epidemic Sounds

Next Episode

Water Under Pressure BONUS: The Future of Agriculture

The history of soil degradation is not new. Humans have been altering the landscape for thousands of years. But what does it mean to have healthy and functional soils and how is this critical to a productive and sustainable agriculture system? In this bonus episode, we spend time with Gene Kelley, a professor of Pedology and the Deputy Director of the Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station at Colorado State University. We had a wide-ranging conversation talking about the innovation happening in agriculture, soil health and the impacts on water, and even the difficulties of behavior change.

Water, Under Pressure is a podcast about the increasing demands on water in Colorado. And how the choices we make now could tear us apart or help us to navigate our uncertain future.

Learn more about the podcast and people featured at waterunderpressure.org.

Sign-up for the Institute for Science & Policy’s mailing list.

If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible donation.

Episode Credits:

Reporting, writing, hosting: Kristan Uhlenbrock

Producing and marketing: Tricia Waddell

Additional reporting and fact-checking: Nicole Delaney and Kate Long

Theme music: Alex Paul, Birds of Play

Sound design: Jesse Boynton with tracks from Epidemic Sounds