A proposal to supply enough water for a half-million new Colorado residents just cleared a major hurdle. Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 next

In The NoCo

A proposal to supply enough water for a half-million new Colorado residents just cleared a major hurdle. Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 next

By In The NoCo,

Published March 20, 2025 at 5:35 AM MDT

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A bird's-eye view overlooks rolling green hills. A network of residential road snakes its way across the foothillls of a mountain range. — An overhead look at what will be Glade Reservoir, a vital component of the NISP project

A massive reservoir project that will eventually clear the way for a half-million new residents in Northern Colorado is now a step closer to breaking ground.

The will create two new reservoirs that will feed 15 towns and water districts in Northern Colorado. Advocates for NISP, the Northern Integrated Supply Project, say it鈥檚 essential to ensure that these fast-growing communities in Larimer and Weld counties have the water they need as development booms.

The project has been tied up in planning, permitting and opposition for more than two decades. But it cleared a final hurdle recently, after an environmental group that had sued to stop the project agreed to settle the case.

Alex Hager covers water issues for KUNC. He joined Erin O鈥橳oole to explain how NISP could help transform Northern Colorado.

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In The NoCo Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP)Water Reservoirs Poudre River Population Growth

In The NoCo

KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, news, people and issues. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show brings context and insight to the stories of the day, often elevating unheard voices in the process. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we celebrate the lighter side of things here, too.

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Erin O'Toole

As the host of KUNC鈥檚 new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.

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Alex Hager

Alex is KUNC's reporter covering the Colorado River Basin. He spent two years at Aspen Public Radio, mainly reporting on the resort economy, the environment and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he covered the world鈥檚 largest sockeye salmon fishery for KDLG in Dillingham, Alaska.

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Brad Turner

Brad Turner is an executive producer in KUNC's newsroom. He manages the podcast team that makes In The NoCo, which also airs weekdays in Morning Edition and All Things Considered. His work as a podcaster and journalist has appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition, NPR Music, the PBS 暗黑爆料hour, Colorado Public Radio, MTV Online, the Denver Post, Boulder's Daily Camera, and the Longmont Times-Call.

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