Diane Hoppe
2013 Aspinall Award Recipient
The 2013 Wayne N. Aspinall Award for Outstanding Water Leader of the Year, named in honor of the distinguished Congressman and water leader in his own right, is presented this year to Diane Hoppe. Today’s award will be the 33rd. for the Colorado Water Congress.
The Aspinall Award is given, not for a single achievement in a person’s life, but for a career of service and contribution to the water community. It is awarded to a person who has dedicated a significant part of their professional career to the advancement of the State and its programs that define the process of protecting and developing the State’s water resources. Diane has accomplished this through her leadership and involvement in management, legislation, and education.
Diane, a native of Colorado, was raised in the farming community of Sterling, Colorado. Even her roots speak to a commitment to agriculture, originating at the family farm in Cornwall, Great Britain. Having attended high school in Sterling, Diane then earned her degree from CU in micro-biology. She married and has two wonderful sons, Dan and John, who grew up on a farm near Sterling.
In her youth she belonged to groups like the Roundup Riders. In fact, this lifelong commitment to the ranching life has led our honoree to be named an honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s, as well as, an honorary life member of the Water Congress.
From 2002 through 2007 Diane, a founding member of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, served as its President and helped guide the CFWE in accomplishing its mission. In recognition of her service, CFWE presented her with the CFWE President’s Award in April of 2012.
Governor John Hickenlooper also recognized Diane’s leadership and understanding in developing, protecting and preserving our State’s greatest resource, when he appointed her to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) as the South Platte Basin representative in February, 2012. Diane previously served as Director of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District from 1997 through 1999.
From January, 1999 through 2006, Diane served in the Colorado House of Representatives. During her legislative service, she chaired the House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee, the Water Interim Committee, and the Water Resources Review Committee. She was instrumental in sponsoring and passing numerous water related legislation during these years, including the addition of the Agricultural Commissioner as a member of the CWCB (1999), the establishment of a Water Legislation Review Committee (2001), development of Substitute Water Supply Plans (2002), and the establishment of a Water Resources Review Committee (2004).
Her leadership helped reestablish the importance of water resource issues within the legislative system and earned her numerous awards and recognition as one of our state’s top legislators, from organizations such as: Progressive 15, Colorado Farm Bureau, University of Colorado, Colorado Civil Justice League, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, Colorado Water and Power Development Authority, Colorado Corn Growers Association, Colorado Timber Industry Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Petroleum Association and the Colorado Mining Association, Colorado Association of Soil Conservation District, the National Federation of Independent Business and as “Top Ten Legislator” by the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.
The Colorado Water Congress welcomes Diane Hoppe to this group of distinguished members who have received the Colorado Water Congress’ Wayne N. Aspinall Water Leader of the Year award.
The Aspinall Award is given, not for a single achievement in a person’s life, but for a career of service and contribution to the water community. It is awarded to a person who has dedicated a significant part of their professional career to the advancement of the State and its programs that define the process of protecting and developing the State’s water resources. Diane has accomplished this through her leadership and involvement in management, legislation, and education.
Diane, a native of Colorado, was raised in the farming community of Sterling, Colorado. Even her roots speak to a commitment to agriculture, originating at the family farm in Cornwall, Great Britain. Having attended high school in Sterling, Diane then earned her degree from CU in micro-biology. She married and has two wonderful sons, Dan and John, who grew up on a farm near Sterling.
In her youth she belonged to groups like the Roundup Riders. In fact, this lifelong commitment to the ranching life has led our honoree to be named an honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s, as well as, an honorary life member of the Water Congress.
From 2002 through 2007 Diane, a founding member of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, served as its President and helped guide the CFWE in accomplishing its mission. In recognition of her service, CFWE presented her with the CFWE President’s Award in April of 2012.
Governor John Hickenlooper also recognized Diane’s leadership and understanding in developing, protecting and preserving our State’s greatest resource, when he appointed her to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) as the South Platte Basin representative in February, 2012. Diane previously served as Director of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District from 1997 through 1999.
From January, 1999 through 2006, Diane served in the Colorado House of Representatives. During her legislative service, she chaired the House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee, the Water Interim Committee, and the Water Resources Review Committee. She was instrumental in sponsoring and passing numerous water related legislation during these years, including the addition of the Agricultural Commissioner as a member of the CWCB (1999), the establishment of a Water Legislation Review Committee (2001), development of Substitute Water Supply Plans (2002), and the establishment of a Water Resources Review Committee (2004).
Her leadership helped reestablish the importance of water resource issues within the legislative system and earned her numerous awards and recognition as one of our state’s top legislators, from organizations such as: Progressive 15, Colorado Farm Bureau, University of Colorado, Colorado Civil Justice League, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, Colorado Water and Power Development Authority, Colorado Corn Growers Association, Colorado Timber Industry Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Petroleum Association and the Colorado Mining Association, Colorado Association of Soil Conservation District, the National Federation of Independent Business and as “Top Ten Legislator” by the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.
The Colorado Water Congress welcomes Diane Hoppe to this group of distinguished members who have received the Colorado Water Congress’ Wayne N. Aspinall Water Leader of the Year award.