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Public poll · Released
Colorado voters see a water shortage and want the state to do more
The Colorado Water Poll, a statewide survey of 800 likely 2026 voters for Conserve and Protect Our Water, fielded December 1–7, 2025.
A clear majority (59%) say Colorado does not have an adequate supply of water to meet future needs, while only 18% say it does. Even a majority of Republicans (53%) agree the state’s water supply is inadequate.
A 57% majority believe the State of Colorado is doing “too little” to conserve and protect Colorado’s water, compared with only 6% who say it is doing “too much.”
Reported by The Colorado Sun.
The strongest messages: clean drinking water and water for families
Before discussing specific policy negotiations, the poll tested message frames for talking about water conservation in Colorado. “Clean, Safe Drinking Water” was rated convincing by 78% of voters, and “Water for Families, Cities, Towns, and Ranches – Make Sure Rivers and Streams Remain Healthy” by 74%. The first is the top message for liberals, moderates, younger voters, and Denver and Boulder voters; the second is the most persuasive message for conservatives, exurban voters, and families earning under $100,000.
Conservation so rivers have water is a winning message statewide
When forced to choose, 57% of voters agree that “Colorado should prioritize water conservation on farms, ranches and in communities, so our rivers and streams have healthy water flow,” while only 22% say Colorado should prioritize water for users even if rivers and streams have less water. Democrats (79%) and unaffiliated voters (57%) break heavily for conservation; Republicans are the only group to lean toward users (43% to 31%).
Support for a negotiated Colorado River settlement is nearly unanimous
Nearly 8 in 10 voters (78%) prefer to “negotiate an agreement where each state makes concessions,” versus only 7% who want to “fight it out in court.” Negotiation is supported by 90% of Democrats, 78% of unaffiliated voters, 63% of Republicans, and 68% of rural voters.
“Colorado Led Solution” is the most powerful frame
The highest-testing message in the poll (84% convincing) frames negotiation as strength and Colorado control: by leading negotiations, Colorado gets a seat at the head of the table to craft a Colorado-led solution that protects its water rights. It convinced 91% of Democrats, 85% of unaffiliated voters, and 75% of Republicans. A risk message, that going to court is an unpredictable gamble a single judge could decide, was rated convincing by 74%.
Voters reject the “blame game”
By nearly 3 to 1, 67% say Colorado should “stand firm in negotiations and be a leader in water conservation,” while 24% agree Colorado doesn’t need to conserve more because California and Arizona are taking too much. Democrats favor Colorado leading on conservation 83% to 11%, and unaffiliated voters 68% to 23%.
Methodology
- Population
- Likely 2026 voters statewide in Colorado, including an oversample of 446 likely Democratic primary voters.
- Completes
- 800 likely voters.
- Field dates
- December 1–7, 2025.
- Margin of error
- ±3.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level for the full sample; ±4.6 for the Democratic primary oversample.
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