SLIDE SHOWS See photographer Ken Papaleo's photos from this series. Browse photos VIDEO A look at the battle over water in Summit County. Watch video

The white-capped mountains that beckon to Front Range residents hold more than the promise of a fishing, kayaking or skiing paradise. Snowmelt from these peaks also supplies most of the water for city faucets and lawns.

But the heavily harvested rivers that flow through Winter Park, Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen are in danger of being crippled by a thirsty urban corridor.

In this series, the Rocky Mountain News looks at how water supplies in four mountain counties -- Grand, Summit, Pitkin and Eagle -- are increasingly strained by mountain, rural and urban use.

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Part 5: Eagle County Highland vs. flatland Eagle County successfully battled in the 1980s to protect its wilderness from a proposed reservoir for Front Range utilities. Today, officials in Vail's home county are negotiating what could become a landmark water project to benefit Eagle and metro residents while preserving the environment. Full story Bridging our troubled waters Another watering hole on tap? Longtime activist finds serenity in Holy Cross 'cathedral' Professor swaps campus scene for wilderness stream

Take an animated tour of Eagle County

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Part 4: Pitkin County Trouble looms in Glamour Gulch In Pitkin County, home of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River already flows at a whisper of its former self because the Front Range and southeast Colorado claim much of its headwaters. Now a little-known plan aims to take even more of the river to satisfy Pueblo, Colorado Springs and farmers. Full story Fishing in troubled waters Reservoir dogs

Take an animated tour of Pitkin County

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Part 3: Summit County Siphoning the Summit The Blue River feeds Dillon Reservoir, lures anglers and kayakers, and fuels snowmaking at Keystone and other ski areas. But a new study predicts that Summit County will run short of water in the next 25 years as its own population booms and Denver Water takes more of the Blue's flows. Full story Water cop goes with the flow Water, ranching in family's blood

Take an animated tour of Summit County

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Part 2: Grand County Grand's last stand The mighty Colorado River is born here, delivered by the icy tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park and the wind-hammered peaks overlooking the Fraser Valley. It nearly dies here, too. Full story 'A disaster for Grand Lake' Low stream flows create a fiscal drain on county residents

Take an animated tour of Grand County

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Part 1: Overview The last drop The very ingredient that makes Colorado mountain retreats so magical - the cold clear water that purrs through rock-and-log-strewn streams - is under siege, threatening the high country that is the state's postcard to the world. Full story 110-year-old ditch an engineering wonder High-country economy thrives on water

Managing the headwaters Take the tour Moving mountain water Take the tour