Colorado Designates 15 Rivers as Outstanding Waters—the Nation’s Strongest Water Quality Protections

As a headwaters state, many of Colorado’s rivers begin as snowmelt high in the Rocky Mountains and then flow across state lines, supplying water to 18 states as well as parts of Mexico. Clean water is fundamental to our well-being—from growing our food to the drinking water in our homes—and it’s also critical to the health of nature. Recognizing this, the state of Colorado recently protected more of its clean water.

On August 21, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) officially approved the designation of Outstanding Waters for 385 miles across 15 rivers and streams in the Upper and Lower Colorado, Eagle, Yampa, and Roaring Fork River basins.

Outstanding Waters designations preserve the high-quality waters of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which provide clean drinking water for our communities, habitat for wildlife, and also support recreational activities that include fishing, swimming, and paddling. This designation safeguards our freshwater resources from future harm, including pollution from development, mining, and other activities that may threaten clean water. Earlier this summer, during a hearing in June, the WQCC unanimously voted to approve the designation.

Such designations are determined through the authority granted to states and Tribes by the Clean Water Act. An Outstanding Waters designation does not affect any existing uses in the watershed; these may continue indefinitely so long as they do not degrade the current water quality.

In 2022, The Pew Charitable Trusts joined local partners in a coalition dedicated to protecting Colorado’s high-quality rivers, streams, and wetlands through Outstanding Waters designations. Later that year, another coalition’s efforts resulted in the WQCC designating over 520 miles of Western Colorado’s most high-value waterways as Outstanding Waters.

This most recent designation was supported by private landowners, ranchers, local governments, outfitters, and thousands of other Colorado residents. The designation also has broad support from local, state, and federal government entities, water rights holders, water districts, water providers and interests, businesses, land managers, and landowners.

Of course, it’s no secret that Colorado is home to recreation enthusiasts who stay active with year-round outdoor activities. Boaters, anglers, and so many others rely on Colorado’s clean water—whether they are in, on, or near it. Clean water draws recreationists, and their dollars, to communities where the fish are healthier and swimming is better.

For communities, clean water can also mean having to spend less to purify the water for residents. So, it’s easy to see how pristine waters can bring investment and cost savings to a community, while supporting residents in connecting with nature. For example, according to a study commissioned by the Business for Water Stewardship, residents and out-of-state visitors to Colorado spent an estimated $10.8 billion on outdoor recreation within Colorado’s river basins. About a quarter of this came from participants in water sports like boating, paddling, and kayaking.

Below are highlights on three rivers that received the recent Outstanding Waters designation, and a look at how the people and local communities there will benefit from preserving these waters.

Hunter Creek

Hunter Creek, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River close to Aspen, Colorado, is known for its scenic hikes, biking, fishing, and backcountry winter sports. Its waters rush from the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and are habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout and brook trout. Hunter Creek also supports important and unique wetlands known as fens and is also home to a variety of wildlife including mule deer, black bear, and Rocky Mountain elk.

Avalanche Creek

Flowing from the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness in Colorado, Avalanche Creek is popular for both hiking and fishing and is also home to fish species like rainbow trout, mottled sculpin, and Colorado River cutthroat trout. In addition, the area boasts wildlife like Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, golden eagle, and Rocky Mountain elk.

Elk River

The Elk River is an iconic river known regionally and throughout the state. It is habitat for critical populations of Colorado River cutthroat trout and greater sandhill cranes. This Outstanding Waters area is also central to recreation in the region including camping, fishing, hiking, and backpacking in and around the picturesque Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

The new water quality protections on these streams are a promising start to ensure increased climate resilience, ecosystem health, and recreational opportunities in Colorado. However, there are still many streams in the state with exceptional water quality that need protection. As communities across Colorado face drought, wildfire, development, and other water quality stressors, protecting these pristine waters is and will be critical to preserve water quality for generations to come.

Carrie Sandstedt and Patrick Lane are senior officers with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ U.S. Conservation project.