Colorado's Big Straw

Is Colorado's plan to pipe its river water back over the Rocky Mountains to support new communities audacious or absurd?

1 minute read

July 13, 2003, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Nicknamed the "Big Straw," it is a big, old-fashioned kind of idea, reminiscent of the mega-water projects that greened the West in the 20th century. Estimates of its cost start at $2.5 billion and climb. Opponents call it a giant boondoggle in the making that would suck water from some of Utah's most popular rafting spots and deplete flows needed by endangered fish."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Saturday, July 12, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

'Vertical canyon' on glass-clad residential high-rise in Denver, CO.

Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design

Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.  

November 29, 2024 - designboom

Blue Kansas City transit bus on Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit

The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.

8 seconds ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of suburban neighborhood with large houses and green grass near Columbus, Ohio.

Central Ohio Leaders Form Regional Housing Partnership

A new coalition will seek to address growing housing needs and improve affordability by supporting new housing development across the region.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of black electric bike with person resting one foot on ground and holding blue helmet.

California E-Bike Rebate Program Launches — Again

After a series of fits and starts, CARB says the program will begin accepting applications this month.

December 5 - Streetsblog California

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.