Growth Requires New Water Supply Solutions in Colorado

Colorado cities located north of Denver consider the future of water as the region grows. New infrastructure and new partnerships will be necessary to meet demand for water in the future.

1 minute read

May 9, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Colorado Water

A Big Thompson Project canal, pictured in the foothills west of Fort Collins. | marekuliasz / Shutterstock

Emily Wenger reports from the town of Windsor, Colorado, which has enough water for its residents now, but knows it will need to pay for more water infrastructure to keep up with a growing population.

"To pay for the projects that would provide that water as well as treat it, Windsor may need to raise rates for its existing customers," according to Wenger. Windsor relies on imported water, bought from cities that are also growing. Among the options for meeting its future water needs is a proposal to build a regional water treatment plant that "would serve Severance, Eaton and the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District," according to Wenger.

The article also focuses on the work of a city at the other end of the system: Greeley, which supplies Windsor with water. Greeley would look for other regional partners if Windsor someday built the necessary facilities to end its imports.

Monday, May 7, 2018 in The Denver Post

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Traffic and old buildings in Manhattan, New York City.

USDOT Could Pull Federal Funding for New York

The federal government gave the state until May 21 to end new York City’s congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding and project approvals.

30 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

Connecticut Capitol Building

Connecticut Just Cause Eviction Bill Dies in State House

The bill would have protected tenants from unfair evictions by requiring landlords to provide a reason for ending a lease.

1 hour ago - The Connecticut Mirror

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

May 21 - San Francisco Examiner