Spring 2026 Book Club

Where the Water Goes Book Cover

The CHA will host a series of meetings (in person and on zoom) to discuss Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River by David Owen. Water issues seem simple—ban golf, stop selling hay to China—but Owen’s story reveals a complex, man-made ecosystem shaped by engineering, law, and cooperation. This book explores how life thrives in the desert and what happens when the system breaks down.

How to Join

All free books have been claimed. However, if you would like to be added to the book club and provide your own copy of the book, please email the Center for Humanities and the Arts at cu-cha@colorado.edu or sign up for a session. 

The Library Resource Guide 

CHA Book Discussion Guide

Book Club Session Dates

  • Part I Chapters 1-10 January 7-January 21
  • Part II Chapters 11-18 January 22-February 4

Sessions will take place:

  • In person in the CHA Conference Room
  • On Zoom
  • At other CU Boulder campus locations

About the Book 

Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River by David Owen.

For any questions regarding the book club, reach out to the CHA team at cu-cha@colorado.edu.

✅ Recommended Resources

  1. Interview — The Colorado Sun: “Colorado River provided the perfect narrative…” 
    Link: The Colorado Sun

“The Colorado River is an ideal subject… we use it up.” The Colorado Sun

  1. Interview — KRCC / Colorado Public Radio: “A Conversation about the Colorado River with Author David Owen” 
    Link: Colorado Public Radio

“One of the reasons to be optimistic about water is that we need water right now. You don’t live another day if you don’t have water.” Colorado Public Radio

  1. Book Review — Kirkus Reviews 
    Link: Kirkus Reviews

  2. Film — a Geography PhD student who is also a musician with The Infamous Flapjack Affair. The film charts the band’s journey along the Colorado River. Here’s a link to the website for their film Confluence: https://www.confluencethejourney.com/
     
    Here’s a link to the film: https://vimeo.com/805207920
     
    And a link to their music: https://www.confluencethejourney.com/music