An an urgent, intimate journey into the Colorado River crisis, at an unprecedented time when legal renegotiations will determine the future for hundreds of millions of people and decide the likelihood of the river’s own survival.
THE COLORADO RIVER CRISIS
After its roughly 5 million year long life, the Colorado River system is on the brink of collapse. 40 million people in the American Southwest rely on this river system directly for drinking water and energy, and millions more rely on it for the food produced in this region off of the Colorado River. Climate change and decades of over-use have driven the River to historically low levels that threaten it’s life, and the livelihoods of everyone in the basin.
The seven state negotiators for guiding water management decisions in the West, can’t come to an agreement, raising the likelihood that the federal administration will impose its own rules for the future. The River is struggling to survive and everyone is struggling to survive and keep their ways of life.
Documentary Participants
-
![Cheyenne Klemme has witnessed Colorado River water depletion first hand]()
Chyenne Klemme
EDUCATOR & ADVOCATE
Chyenne is a Navajo educator, river guide, and advocate for social and environmental justice in the desert southwest. Growing up and spending most of her life at the River’s edge, Chyenne has a finely tuned understanding of and deep connection to the Colorado River. -
![Ronnie Leimgruber doing his best to save Colorado River drought]()
Ronnie Leimgruber
FARMER
Ronnie, is a third generation farmer who has been the owner and operator of Leimgruber Farms for over 25 years. He and his neighboring farmers in California’s Imperial Valley are an integral part of the national food supply and food security. Because of the Imperial Valley’s abundant water rights, they are of the target of public frustrations in water conversations. And because of this, Ronnie’s family farm is an integral part of finding a path forward. -
![Lorelei Cloud has fought to protect the Colorado River through the Colorado Water Conservation Board]()
Lorelei Cloud
INDIGENOUS WATER LEADER
A trailblazer in every sense, she made history as the first Native American to serve as Chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board where she champions equitable water policies. She served three terms on the Southern Ute Tribal Council as Vice Chairman and Treasurer. She’s fought to protect Tribal resources and sovereignty from the ground up.
-
![Eric Barnes is developing ways to survive with Colorado River basin water loss]()
Eric Barnes
CATTLE RANCHER
Eric is a second generation cattle rancher whose livelihood depends on his ability to adapt to ongoing drought conditions. Quietly challenging the status quo of his rural community, Eric is developing ways to survive in an uncertain future near the headwaters of the Colorado River, so he can keep his father’s ranch alive.
-
![Nolan Stevens has been observing what is happening to the Colorado River]()
Nolan Stevens
FARMER AND ENTREPRENEUR
Nolan is a farmer on the Navajo Nation working to bring clean, healthy, heritage food options to his family and community. He has sacrificed and invested a tremendous amount, but his dream depends on a flowing river and establishing water rights he is entitled to but only has access to on paper.
-
![Dale and Derrill Larkin have been devising plans to support the Colorado River Water Shortage]()
Dale and Derrill Larkin
RETIRED BUSINESSMEN
Dale and Derrill have lived in St George, UT since there were only two doctors in town. Derrill worked as a developer during is career, and Dale as a heating and air conditioning business owner. They live in the desert, enjoy golfing and have to weigh how far into the future their own way of living can last for their great grandchildren.
-
![Chantel Dooley has been greatly affected by the Colorado River water depletion]()
Chantel Dooley
BUSINESS WOMAN
Living in unincorporated Scottsdale, Chantel has first hand experience of having invested in her own American Dream, a house in the desert region where she grew up and aims to grow her own family, but that has been cut off from water as scarcity and water speculation take control of the resource in her community.
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Saturday April 11th, 2026 - SOLD OUT
Boulder, CO
Sunday, April 12th, 2026 - SOLD OUT
Boulder, CO
TAKE ACTION
-
Water & Wildlife
The Colorado River is home to many native species and keeps the West healthy. Click below to learn more about the organizations helping the River stay health.
-
Agriculture & Food
80% of the Colorado River supports agriculture. Learn more about how to support farmers using water saving technologies, and addressing food waste.
-
Cities & Suburbs
Learn about how your own yard can turn into a water saving environment that better supports local ecology.
-
Support Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities in the basin have differing needs. Learn more about the leading organizations helping to support Tribes’ rights and develop water access.
-
Contact Your Local Representatives
Contact your state and local representatives to come to find a compromise for the sake of our River.
-
Where Does Your Water Come From?
Find out which rivers are flowing through your life and get involved!
GET IN TOUCH
Join our mailing list to stay up to date on screenings and our impact campaign.