For Colorado's rivers, communities, and local economies . . .
Just Add Water.
Our Impact
Since 2001, Colorado Water Trust has restored...
26.7
Billion Gallons of Water
82,086
Acre-feet
814
Miles of Colorado's Rivers
Help us ensure Colorado has enough water for our rivers and our people
The mission of Colorado Water Trust is to restore water to Colorado's rivers.
We are a home-grown, statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Since 2001, we’ve restored 23.9 billion gallons of water to 600 miles of rivers and streams across the state. We work collaboratively with our partners so that our projects benefit both the people we work with and our rivers.
Featured Projects
Upper Yampa River – Stagecoach Reservoir
Reservoir releases near Steamboat Springs, Colorado benefit multiple water users and the environment during periods of low flow in the Yampa River.
Little Cimarron River – McKinley Ditch
A groundbreaking split-season water sharing agreement between agriculture and the environment.
Colorado River – 15-Mile Reach
This project restores water to nearly 100 miles of the Colorado River, including the important 15-Mile Reach, home to threatened and endangered fish species, near Grand Junction.
Latest News & Stories
What's Happening
Big thanks to everyone who came out for our happy hour at @mountaintapbrewery last week! 🍻 It was wonderful to see you all and to talk water. Community partnerships and connections are the backbone of our work, and events like these remind us of all the amazing people across Colorado who care about flowing rivers - thank you for your care! Stay tuned for more @cowatertrust events this spring. 🎉 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Big thanks to everyone who came out for our happy hour at @mountaintapbrewery last week! 🍻 It was wonderful to see you all and to talk water. Community partnerships and connections are the backbone of our work, and events like these remind us of all the amazing people across Colorado who care about flowing rivers - thank you for your care! Stay tuned for more @cowatertrust events this spring. 🎉 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
We’re excited to announce our new community partnership with the @coloradorapids ⚽️ Today, they unveiled the Headwaters Kit, the club’s secondary jersey for the 2025 and 2026 Major League Soccer seasons. The Headwaters Kit draws inspiration from the rivers that originate high in the Rocky Mountains, providing water to millions across the American West. 💦 This is more than just a kit - it represents our two organization’s commitment to the local community and our core values, embracing the elements that define Colorado’s landscapes and lifestyle. As part of the Headwaters Kit launch, the Rapids have partnered with Colorado Water Trust in support of our dedication to restoring and protecting Colorado’s rivers. Big thank you to the @coloradorapids - we’re so proud to be your community partner! #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradorapids #majorleaguesoccer
We’re excited to announce our new community partnership with the @coloradorapids ⚽️ Today, they unveiled the Headwaters Kit, the club’s secondary jersey for the 2025 and 2026 Major League Soccer seasons. The Headwaters Kit draws inspiration from the rivers that originate high in the Rocky Mountains, providing water to millions across the American West. 💦 This is more than just a kit - it represents our two organization’s commitment to the local community and our core values, embracing the elements that define Colorado’s landscapes and lifestyle. As part of the Headwaters Kit launch, the Rapids have partnered with Colorado Water Trust in support of our dedication to restoring and protecting Colorado’s rivers. Big thank you to the @coloradorapids - we’re so proud to be your community partner! #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradorapids #majorleaguesoccer
We are excited to welcome Blake Mamich into his new role as Colorado Water Trust’s Program Director! Blake started working for Colorado Water Trust in 2022 as a Water Resources Specialist, and began his new role as Program Director at the start of 2025. Blake was born and raised in Greeley and is currently based in Ignacio where he helps manage a local ranch. After earning undergraduate degrees in Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Economics from Colorado State University, Blake worked for the Southern Ute Tribe managing the Tribe’s water rights portfolio and working to protect, conserve, and develop the Tribe’s water resources. Blake completed Water Education Colorado’s Water Leaders program in 2024.
Blake is integral to the success of our projects across the state, as well as our Request for Water program. We are grateful for Blake’s contextual knowledge of agricultural and tribal communities, as well as the leadership, expertise, and care for Colorado’s rivers that he brings to our team. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
We are excited to welcome Blake Mamich into his new role as Colorado Water Trust’s Program Director! Blake started working for Colorado Water Trust in 2022 as a Water Resources Specialist, and began his new role as Program Director at the start of 2025. Blake was born and raised in Greeley and is currently based in Ignacio where he helps manage a local ranch. After earning undergraduate degrees in Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Economics from Colorado State University, Blake worked for the Southern Ute Tribe managing the Tribe’s water rights portfolio and working to protect, conserve, and develop the Tribe’s water resources. Blake completed Water Education Colorado’s Water Leaders program in 2024.
Blake is integral to the success of our projects across the state, as well as our Request for Water program. We are grateful for Blake’s contextual knowledge of agricultural and tribal communities, as well as the leadership, expertise, and care for Colorado’s rivers that he brings to our team. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Colorado is deeply connected to its rivers. They sustain us and all the life around us. Our rivers are where we spend time making memories with friends and family. They’re where we take breaks to reflect and breathe while listening to the sounds of nature. We are bound to their health - when they flow strong, our ecosystems flourish and our communities thrive. When they run dry, it impacts us all. That’s where we come in… Since 2001, Colorado Water Trust has restored 26.7 billion gallons of water to 814 miles of Colorado’s rivers, and counting. Thanks for being here with us and for loving Colorado’s rivers, too. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Colorado is deeply connected to its rivers. They sustain us and all the life around us. Our rivers are where we spend time making memories with friends and family. They’re where we take breaks to reflect and breathe while listening to the sounds of nature. We are bound to their health - when they flow strong, our ecosystems flourish and our communities thrive. When they run dry, it impacts us all. That’s where we come in… Since 2001, Colorado Water Trust has restored 26.7 billion gallons of water to 814 miles of Colorado’s rivers, and counting. Thanks for being here with us and for loving Colorado’s rivers, too. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
It’s time for more Water Trust hats in the wild! 🧢💦 Staff Attorney Josh Boissevain recently took a trip to Prague, and wore his Water Trust hat around the city. (Spy the giant baby statues?) Where’s the coolest place you’ve worn your Water Trust hat? Send us a photo, we’d love to see! Or tell us below in the comments. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
It’s time for more Water Trust hats in the wild! 🧢💦 Staff Attorney Josh Boissevain recently took a trip to Prague, and wore his Water Trust hat around the city. (Spy the giant baby statues?) Where’s the coolest place you’ve worn your Water Trust hat? Send us a photo, we’d love to see! Or tell us below in the comments. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Join Kate Ryan, Colorado Water Trust’s Executive Director, at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs for happy hour next Wednesday February 12th from 5-7pm. 🍻 We’ll discuss what’s new at the Water Trust and spend time connecting with fellow river lovers and water nerds. Please feel free to invite your friends, families, and colleagues. Everyone’s first drink is on us—we’d love to see you there! #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Join Kate Ryan, Colorado Water Trust’s Executive Director, at Mountain Tap Brewery in Steamboat Springs for happy hour next Wednesday February 12th from 5-7pm. 🍻 We’ll discuss what’s new at the Water Trust and spend time connecting with fellow river lovers and water nerds. Please feel free to invite your friends, families, and colleagues. Everyone’s first drink is on us—we’d love to see you there! #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
We hope everyone is staying warm out there! ❄️🥶 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
It’s time for another Colorado Water Trust hat in the wild!🧢 Water Trust supporter Dave took his hat to the top of the highest peak in Ireland. 🏔️☘️ Where’s the coolest place your Water Trust hat’s been? We’d love to see! Message your photos to us or email them to us at bdonovan@coloradowatertrust.org. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
It’s time for another Colorado Water Trust hat in the wild!🧢 Water Trust supporter Dave took his hat to the top of the highest peak in Ireland. 🏔️☘️ Where’s the coolest place your Water Trust hat’s been? We’d love to see! Message your photos to us or email them to us at bdonovan@coloradowatertrust.org. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
What is Colorado Water Trust? We’re glad you asked! We’re a small, homegrown nonprofit focused on restoring water to Colorado’s rivers and streams. When rivers run low or dry up, it’s bad for ecosystems and local communities. That’s where we come in! Our goal is to JUST ADD WATER 💦 So far we’ve restored 23.9 billion gallons and counting… #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
What is Colorado Water Trust? We’re glad you asked! We’re a small, homegrown nonprofit focused on restoring water to Colorado’s rivers and streams. When rivers run low or dry up, it’s bad for ecosystems and local communities. That’s where we come in! Our goal is to JUST ADD WATER 💦 So far we’ve restored 23.9 billion gallons and counting… #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Look at that beautiful river ❄️😍 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Thanks to everyone who donated to us for Colorado Gives! 👏 We beat our goal and raised $27,342 - money that will help us continue restoring water to rivers and streams across Colorado! 💦 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Thanks to everyone who donated to us for Colorado Gives! 👏 We beat our goal and raised $27,342 - money that will help us continue restoring water to rivers and streams across Colorado! 💦 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Have you made your Colorado Gives Day donations yet? We hope you’ll consider supporting Colorado Water Trust this year! Every dollar donated to Colorado Water Trust means more water in rivers and streams across our state. This year, thanks to our community of supporters, we’ve restored over 1.9 billion gallons of water to rivers and streams across Colorado. Thank you for considering making a donation in support of this important work! 💦 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradogivesday
Have you made your Colorado Gives Day donations yet? We hope you’ll consider supporting Colorado Water Trust this year! Every dollar donated to Colorado Water Trust means more water in rivers and streams across our state. This year, thanks to our community of supporters, we’ve restored over 1.9 billion gallons of water to rivers and streams across Colorado. Thank you for considering making a donation in support of this important work! 💦 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradogivesday