Colorado’s worst snow year brings looming water restrictions. A Winter Park museum educates on conservation amid threats to the $13.9B outdoor economy.
WINTER PARK, Colo. — With Colorado facing its worst snowpack on record this winter, the Headwaters Center and River Journey Museum is doubling down on its water conservation mission — and seeing more visitors than ever as a result.
The record-low snowpack is expected to trigger water restrictions across the state this spring and summer, threatening both the environment and an outdoor tourism economy worth $13.9 billion annually.
Staff at the Winter Park museum say the situation has made their educational work more critical than ever.
“This is the worst snow year on record,” said Evie Guy, a staff member at the center, noting the effects on water levels, streams, rivers, and Colorado’s broader ecology and economy. “Our fishery up in Grant County is our second biggest income driver.”
The museum’s mission is to connect visitors to their water sources and illustrate how human behavior impacts water systems. Staff are now actively promoting conservation tips residents can adopt before formal restrictions take effect — from reducing outdoor watering to cutting back on indoor usage.
“We see a lot of water going to outdoor watering,” Guy said, emphasizing simple indoor changes. “We’re not going to be leaving our water running as we’re washing dishes, as we’re brushing teeth. Maybe we’re not taking 15-minute showers, we’re taking 10-minute showers. It’s all little changes that will add up.”
There is an unexpected silver lining: the poor ski season has driven more visitors through the museum’s doors, meaning more Coloradans are receiving the water conservation message.
