![our global future when the river runs dry our global future when the river runs dry](http://live-free.net/livefree1/wp-content/uploads/freshizer/d8dce338cfeac2dcbf269751920cfbaa_dry-land-863-430-c.jpg)
Together, we have addressed water challenges across Colorado, such as helping create the Yampa River Fund, upgrading irrigation infrastructure on one of the largest water diversions on the Yampa River, partnering with local water utilities on forest restoration in the South Platte watershed, and working with farmers and ranchers across the state to creatively and collaboratively manage water to handle shortages. We're also partnering with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to co-create solutions for water that advance their voice, choice, and actions.
![our global future when the river runs dry our global future when the river runs dry](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2007/10/16/magazine/21water600.1.jpg)
With over 20 years of experience in the Colorado River Basin, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) knows first-hand how important partnerships and collaboration are in charting a sustainable and resilient future. How can Colorado help improve water security? We need to invest in solutions that will not only help us better manage our water supplies in the short term, but also build climate resilience in the long term. These strategies include reducing water use, modernizing infrastructure, improving forest health, utilizing natural landscapes to minimize flood damage and purify and store water, and improving stream and river health.
![our global future when the river runs dry our global future when the river runs dry](https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/img/original/sediment_drava_wwf.jpg)
The good news is there are things we can do to help the Colorado River Basin. This poses a huge threat to water supplies for the people, agriculture, and businesses that depend on this river, as well as the fish and wildlife. In the summer of 2021, the Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 1 water shortage for the first time, triggering mandatory water cutbacks for Arizona, Nevada and Mexico in 2022. We are feeling the effects of climate change today, in our own backyards. Looking ahead, scientists predict that the river's flows could shrink by as much as 31% by 2050. The Southwest is seeing a historic mega-drought and the Colorado River's flows have declined by 20% over the last century. The Colorado River Basin-which supplies 80% of the water that Coloradans use-is ground zero for climate change in the United States.