COLORADO WATER
LIVE LIKE YOU LOVE IT
COLORADO WATER IS VERY POPULAR
That’s because a lot of people depend on it. The snow that falls in the Colorado Rockies not only provides water to about 5 million Coloradans, but also to people living in 18 other states. Colorado is the only state other than Hawaii where water flows out of its borders, but doesn’t flow in.
COLORADO WATER IS VALUABLE
Snow provides the swoosh to our skiing and rivers give the splash to our rafting. Water keeps us alive, grows our food and keeps our landscapes healthy. We need it to run our businesses, as well as for sanitation and safety. The environment, wildlife, trees and plants depend on it, too.
OUR WATER CYCLE
All the water that we have—and ever will have—already is on the planet.
The water cycle is a massive recycling process.
Here in Colorado, it begins with mountain snow. Most of the water we use comes from the snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, which acts like a frozen reservoir. Spring runoff from the snow feeds our streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater and reservoirs—starting points for the West’s water supply. This precious resource is then treated, used and returned to evaporate into snow and rain again.
KNOW YOUR WATERSHED
Colorado has eight major watersheds.
Know where your water comes from so you can get involved with important issues that relate to your local water supply.
