TOPICAL ARTICLES

December 2007

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Climate Change and Water in Colorado

Colorado is home to the headwaters of four major river systems, all originating in the Rocky Mountains. On average, Colorado rivers produce 16 million acre-feet of water, delivering up to two-thirds to downstream states and Mexico. Yet, Colorado, like many western states, faces a major and unquanti-fied threat—warming global temperatures. Climate change will inevitably affect Colorado’s ability to satisfy its water supply demand, especially given its growing population and its obligation to deliver water to downstream users. Thus far, the Earth has warmed more than one degree Fahrenheit over the past century, and scientists predict climate change could raise average temperatures by five degrees or more over the next century. Although some scientists disagree over the precise effects from climate change in Colorado, most agree that rising temperatures will cause hotter, drier summers, earlier spring snowmelts, and reduced mountain snowpack. Indeed, it would appear some of these changes are already underway in Colorado. Therefore, in time, climate change and its implications will threaten water quantity and quality in this semi-arid mountainous state.