Planning for Water Scarcity in Colorado

The state of Colorado is growing quickly, and that means planners and developers will have to actively implement more efficient water infrastructure.

1 minute read

July 20, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Boulder, Colorado

Gross Reservoir in Boulder County in Colorado. | John Duckworth / Shutterstock

"If population projections for Colorado and the region are on target, water supplies could be a critical issue by mid-century," according to an article by Josephine Peterson.

Organizations like the Colorado Water and Growth Dialogue at the Keystone Policy Center are responding to these pressures by pushing for local communities to make planning and development changes that do a better job of managing water waste. Other advocacy examples cited by Peterson include the state demographer's office, U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Cortez), and the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Each are taking different approaches to the challenge of maintaining healthy water supplies for a growing population.

Throughout the article, the onus is put on planners to take a leadership role in ensuring water security for the future.

Monday, June 26, 2017 in The Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

5 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

6 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

7 hours ago - CNU Public Square