For Colorado's rivers, communities, and local economies . . .
Just Add Water.
Our Impact
Since 2001, Colorado Water Trust has restored...
31.9
Billion Gallons of Water
98,022
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 31.9 billion gallons of water to 814 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
Meet Drew Majcen, our Legal Intern! Drew was born in Boulder and raised in Lafayette and Grand Lake, Colorado. He is in his final semester at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he is concentrating in water and constitutional law.
“One bucket list goal of mine is to follow the sandhill crane migration route for a full year, tracing how water connects seasonal habitats across states and basins. In many ways, cranes are a living case study in hydrologic connectivity: when flows are altered, wetlands disappear, or timing shifts, the impacts ripple far beyond any single river reach. Watching cranes has served as a reminder that water law and water management decisions made in one place can shape ecological outcomes hundreds of miles away.” -Drew
#coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Love your rivers 🩵 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Colorado Water Trust is hiring a summer Development & Engagement Intern!
The Development & Engagement Intern will work closely with the Development & Engagement Manager to ensure the Colorado Water Trust community is engaged and informed about our work. They will be responsible for creating social media content and supporting the planning and implementation of events. An ideal candidate shares our passion for healthy, flowing rivers and streams in Colorado, is creative and open to new ideas, has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is comfortable with social media, marketing, and events planning.
This is a ~10 hour per week summer position. Applications are due March 11th. More details at the link in our bio. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Does your business love Colorado’s rivers and want to keep them flowing? 💦 Flowing Waters is a unique giving program for companies and businesses to give back to their local rivers and communities by supporting the work of Colorado Water Trust. Funding from Flowing Waters partners combined with Colorado Water Trust’s experience in flow restoration creates a powerful partnership. Together, we can demonstrate to your community that your business is part of the solution for healthy, flowing Colorado rivers. Learn more on our website! And big thank you to our Mainstem Flowing Waters Partners! #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #flowingwaters
It’s always a blast when our state-wide staff have the chance to get together! We had a great time at @newbelgium celebrating the Poudre Flows project with all of our amazing project partners. Thank you to everyone who came out for the event, and congratulations on a project well done! 🍻💦 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #poudreflows
Now that’s a lot of water! 💦 2025 was our biggest year yet - most projects run and biggest number of gallons restored to rivers and streams across Colorado. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Wow! From all of us at Colorado Water Trust, thank you for your generous Colorado Gives Day support! We raised $26,000 towards our work restoring water to Colorado’s rivers and streams. We couldn’t do this important work without you - thank you! 💙 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradogivesday
Join the wave of generosity and make your donation to Colorado Water Trust today! 🎉 A donation of any amount helps us keep Colorado’s rivers flowing. 🌊 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradogivesday #waveofgenerosity
Colorado Gives Day is tomorrow and every drop counts! 💦 Join hundreds of other Coloradans in supporting Colorado Water Trust - donations of any amount help bring rivers back to life! 🩵 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater #coloradogivesday
During this season of gratitude, we’re feeling especially thankful for you! Because of your support, in 2025 we’ll restore more than 5.2 billion gallons of water to 21 rivers across Colorado—the greatest impact in our 24-year history. That milestone isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of a community that shows up for Colorado’s rivers year after year. #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Big thanks to everyone who came out to our happy hour in Durango on Wednesday! It was a blast to connect with all of you and to learn more about all of the amazing water work going on in the area. 💦 🍻 #coloradowatertrust #justaddwater
Durango folks! Join us at Anarchy Brewing tonight for happy hour from 5:30-7. First drink is on us and we’ll have great snacks too.
