Ongoing drought, scarcity issues, and climate change are all part of the conversation when it comes to water issues in the West. Reporter Luke Runyon, from our partner station KUNC, says water managers are focused on critical drought planning for one of the West's most crucial resources - the Colorado River. KZMU News spoke with Luke about his coverage, and whether despair or hope rules the day when it comes to water in the West.

[photo: With its headwaters in northern Colorado, the Colorado River supplies water to 40 million people in the southwest. Nick Cote for KUNC/LightHawk]