- A local conservancy in Colorado monitors the Roaring Fork Watershed, which supplies 10% of the total flow into the larger system.
- Water diversions are taking water across the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River basin, impacting the Roaring Fork.
- Aurora and Colorado Springs are jointly seeking water supply via the Whitney concept while a lawsuit challenges expansion on South Boulder Creek.
Aurora and Colorado Springs Purchase Water Rights from Rural Communities
What happened
Aurora and Colorado Springs secured water rights from local rural communities in November 2026. This practice, known as "buy and dry," involves cities purchasing water rights to supply their communities. The Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District has launched a tool to track the economic and environmental impacts of this water diversion.
From koaa.com
Why it matters
The purchase of water rights by Aurora and Colorado Springs is impacting smaller rural communities in the Arkansas River Valley. The Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District notes that this practice has resulted in major losses in irrigated farmland over the last four decades.
Aurora and Colorado Springs are jointly seeking water supply via the Whitney concept, while a lawsuit challenges expansion on South Boulder Creek.
From koaa.com
Who's involved
- AuroraCity jointly involved in purchasing water rights for water supply projects
- Colorado SpringsCity jointly involved in purchasing water rights for water supply projects
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The entities involved
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Aurora
city in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, Colorado, United States
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Colorado Springs
city in and county seat of El Paso County, Colorado, United States