Recreational Water Rights and Policy Change in Colorado

Research on the process of policy change often involves a direct or indirect analysis of the roles of policy entrepreneurs and the mass media. In Colorado, beginning in 1998, twelve communities decided to obtain water rights for recreational in-channel purposes such as kayaking and whitewater rafting. These water rights stirred...

Conservation and Conflict in Policymaking

Based on previous research, it is evident that stakeholders involved in Colorado water policy may define the word ‘conservation’ differently. The two potential definitions of this word carry vastly different connotations for policy outcomes: one promotes using less water while the other promotes diverting more water. It is, therefore, important...

Local News and Environmental Reporting in Colorado

The new reality of local environmental reporting involves reduced resources, staffing, and training for journalists who are expected to cover environmental issues. At the same time, large segments of the American population are uninformed about policy issues that affect their lives and their communities. This dichotomy sets up a conflict...