Where we focus.
Three priorities. One healthy basin.
It all starts with water.
Understanding the basin we protect.
A watershed is all the land where water drains to a single river or stream. Think of it as a giant funnel — every raindrop, every snowflake that falls in the Arkansas River Basin eventually makes its way to the Arkansas River.
That means what happens on a mountainside in Leadville affects a farm field near La Junta. A wildfire in the upper basin can send sediment and debris downstream for years, threatening water quality and infrastructure hundreds of miles away. A mine that closed a century ago can still leach metals into the headwaters today.
The Arkansas River Basin is the largest in Colorado — 28,000 square miles of mountains, forests, farmland, and communities, stretching from above 14,000 feet to the Kansas border. Over one million people depend on its water. ARWC exists to protect it.
The basin in numbers.
28,000 square miles of landscapes, communities, and water.
the basin's water
farmland
fishing waters
to Kansas border
in the world
projected by 2050
Our strategic priorities.
Grounded in seven years of experience. Focused on the next five.
Wildfire & Forest Resilience
Watershed Restoration
We’re expanding beyond our fire-recovery roots into full watershed restoration — connecting forests, water, and communities through projects that improve stream health, water quality, and ecological function. From cleaning up a century of mining damage in the headwaters to building new partnerships with agricultural communities in the Lower Arkansas, this work spans the full diversity of the basin.
Community Engagement & Education
Lasting watershed health depends on informed, engaged communities. ARWC serves as a technical resource and trusted advisor — partnering with organizations already doing public education while also telling our own story through river reports, community events, volunteer programs, and a growing communications presence across the basin.
The work in numbers.
A snapshot of progress across the basin.
Acres treated for forest health
Landowners supported with mitigation
Community slash collection sites
River Watch monitoring sites
On the ground right now.
Active projects across the basin.
Restoring Resilience in the Aftermath of the Spring Creek Fire
The 2018 Spring Creek Fire, one of Colorado’s largest wildfires, devastated over 108,000 acres near La Veta, destroying homes and damaging critical watersheds. In response, the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative (ARWC) and partners launched a series of ambitious restoration projects to protect vital water resources and strengthen community resilience. Discover how collaboration has driven recovery efforts in the aftermath of this disaster.oration in the face of disaster.
Restoring Resilience in the Aftermath of the Decker Fire
On September 8, 2019 lightning ignited the Decker Fire which burned nearly 9,000 acres just south of Salida, Colorado. ARWC collaborated with local partners to assess the impact and design and implement recovery needs.
We don’t do this alone.
Built on partnership. Collaborative by design.
ARWC works with federal and state agencies, local governments, conservation districts, water providers, and community organizations across the basin. Our partnerships aren’t just listed on a page — they’re how the work gets done.
