Colorado officials predict a 163-billion-gallon shortfall in its water supply by 2050, and the Continental Divide stands in the way of easy solutions to the challenge.
"Colorado is looking for 163 billion gallons of water, and a long-awaited state plan for finding it calls for increased conservation, reusing treated wastewater and diverting more water from the Western Slope," according to an article by Bruce Finley.
The need for the plan stems from Colorado's growth: "Rising demand from population growth and industry, if continued through 2050, threatens to leave 2.5 million people parched."
Finley reports that the plan, mandated by Governor John Hickenlooper, has been under development for 18 months and is expected for release on December 10, 2014. Similar to other states, Colorado's water infrastructure is challenged by a geographic divide between water supply and water demand. Also, much of the water supply for the Western United States is found in rivers that originate in Colorado.
FULL STORY: Colorado girds for proliferating people and increasingly scarce water
El Paso Wastewater Purification Facility Breaks Ground
As water supplies become strained and technology advances, cities look to wastewater as a viable source of drinking water.
Virginia Data Centers Draining State’s Water Supply
Being the world’s largest data center hub is having a severe impact on local water resources.
Texas Reservoirs Reach Dangerous Lows
In some parts of the state, water officials have cut off releases that maintain estuaries and other key coastal habitats.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie