Blog Archives

February 28, 2019 E-News

2/28/2019

March News

March 12, 2019 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Moderated by Chane Polo

The purpose of the Colorado Water Stewardship Project is to ensure that Colorado Water Congress members and water stakeholders from around the state are prepared for any ballot initiative that might be of interest to the Colorado water community. The Project guides CWC's ballot initiative work consisting of legal challenges, public polling and messaging.

Join us on Tuesday, March 12 at 12:00 PM for a Colorado Water Stewardship Project Webinar. Our panelists will review the proposed initiatives currently filed for the 2019 ballot, an overview of the Stream Access Litigation case (Hill v. Warsewa) addressing access to rivers in Colorado and CWSP's recent efforts.
Our panelists will also give us an update on how the new changes in administration have impacted the Colorado water community thus far.

March 12, 2019
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Join CWC at the Capitol

Each year, Dianna Orf hosts a small group of CWC Members for an opportunity to attend the State Affairs Committee Meeting and tour the Capitol in Downtown Denver. Interested in taking part? Send Chane Polo an email at chane@cowatercongress.org.

Tour Dates Available:

Monday, March 4, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019

To learn more about the State Affairs Committee, click here

We'll see you there!

A founding member of the Colorado Water Congress, the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District (SLVWCD) was formed in 1949 to operate a reservoir at Wagon Wheel Gap, which was never built. The SLVWCD now operates an augmentation program within five San Luis Valley counties. Through the program, the SLVWCD replaces injurious depletions to the Rio Grande and Closed Basin caused by domestic, commercial, and municipal well pumping. This program ensures senior water rights are protected while allowing for economic growth in the San Luis Valley. The SLVWCD also works with partners to address issues such as groundwater sustainability, compliance with the Rio Grande Compact, and water supply protection.

In the late 1990s, the SLVWCD partnered with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to complete the 2001 Study, a restoration master plan for 91 miles of the Rio Grande. The Study lead to the formation of the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, an organization that works to improve the Rio Grande in Colorado for all water users. The District remains committed to implementation of the 2001 Study and supports efforts by the RGHRP to improve river health in the Rio Grande Basin.

Want to be featured as the next Member Spotlight? Contact us at kkucera@cowatercongress.org

Silas Malers Brings his Hydrologic Cycle Lego Structure to KMGH Channel 7!

For those of you that attended the CWC Annual Convention, you were treated to the display of an entire model of the hydrologic cycle constructed from legos by Fort Collins student Silas Malers, age 12. Our own Denver Channel 7 featured Silas in an "Our Colorado" segment:

High Line Canal Clean-Up Scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2019

Volunteers and segment leaders are needed to clear trash and debris from the eleven mile stretch of the canal that runs through the city of Aurora. The goal for the day is to reduce the amount of trash being discharged from the Canal to Sand Creek and to Toll Gate Creek. Along with the benefits from the outdoor exercise, the event is also an excellent opportunity to learn about the problems caused from littering and the importance of protecting our waterways.

To register, click here and scroll down to the High Line Canal opportunity. Interested people will need to create a volunteer profile. This is needed to help organizers communicate with volunteers.

The volunteer registration website has a downloadable Volunteer waiver. Every volunteer is required to have a waiver completed prior to working on the High Line Canal. If the portal is proving cumbersome or if you have questions, please feel free to contact Lottia Villalba

The Water in the West Symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 - Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Gaylord Rockies Hotel & Conference Center

Are you interested in being part of Colorado’s water community? The Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance (DARCA) is looking for an energetic leader to fill the position of Executive Director.

The position requires an estimated 20 hours a week. More hours will be required preparing for the Annual Conference in February and other workshop events. The selected candidate will enter into a two-year contract with an opportunity to extend the contract annually following a review by the Board.

UPCOMING EVENTS - POND COMMITTEE

How Plants Learned to Reserve Water
Science Daily

Simplifying How Snow Turns to Flow
EOS

February 21, 2019 E-News

2/21/2019

March News

Join CWC at the Capitol

We are the problem solvers. We are the scientists, the planners, the technical specialists, and the creative thinkers. Since 1981, SWCA has helped public and private clients overcome water resource challenges and move their projects forward. Our 100% employee-owned firm offers comprehensive environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and natural and cultural resource management services. We work together to understand the full life cycle of any project, from inception to completion. In the face of rapid environmental, economic, and societal changes, our purpose is simple: to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. We do that by offering a suite ofquantitative and qualitative studies of water and aquatic ecosystems, and watershed, riparian, and aquatic habitat restoration services combined with local knowledge, regulatory expertise, and high-quality service. We build long-term, trusting relationships with our clients and guide their projects to successful completion.

Our resource and planning expertise helps speed the process for clients to obtain necessary permits, and our services can support compliance activity in several different areas, including National Environmental Policy Act; Endangered Species Act; Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,and Liability Act; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits; Section 10 navigable water permit applications; wetland assessments; mitigation plans and wetlands delineations.

Want to be featured as the next Member Spotlight? Contact us at kkucera@cowatercongress.org

Doug Kemper Awarded the "Friends of DARCA" Award at the DARCA Conference

ANNUAL CONVENTION SURVEY - LAST DAY TO FILL IT OUT!

Click below to fill out our 2019 Annual Convention Survey:

UPCOMING EVENTS - POND COMMITTEE

Deal to Help Fish, Hydro Plant
The Daily Sentinel

Ranching in the New Normal
American Rivers

Colorado River District Seeking to Ease Tax Limitations
The Aspen Times

February 14, 2019 E-News

2/14/2019

February News

President's Message

As we ready ourselves to begin a loaded legislative calendar, I want to remind all of our membership how important it is to stay engaged with Colorado Water Congress and the water community. As President of the Board of Directors, it will be my duty to direct and support the Board, compiled of individuals who represent the geographic, municipal and business, and professional interest categories defined by our membership.

Our Board strives to be transparent in how we derive decisions from thoughtful deliberation to our member base, and all of our Board Meeting Documents are available for review at www.cowatercongress.org.

For those of you who attended the Annual Convention, thank you for your support. I would like to also thank the exhibitors, sponsors and Colorado Water Congress staff whose efforts are key to our success. We had a record-breaking attendance of 612, and we hope to experience as much interest at our upcoming summer conference in Steamboat Springs; August 20 - 22, 2019.

If you are interested in serving or learning more about the Colorado Water Congress Board of Directors, click here for more information.

In Colorado we are blessed with significant water resources, but those resources are finite. The demand for water continually increases as Colorado strives to sustain its people while protecting the environment, respecting wildlife and providing recreational opportunities. As Colorado identifies its water resources more thoroughly, we must also prioritize the use of those resources. The Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) is the foundation document that describes Colorado’s water challenges. Developed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), the SWSI determined that the gap between water supply and water demand is widening dramatically eventually putting Colorado’s economic vitality at risk.

In recent years, conservation initiatives have been implemented to make the state’s water go further and do more. Farmers have improved irrigation practices and many urban centers now recycle large amounts of residual water. Although conservation has yielded meaningful results, it is clear that conservation cannot provide the additional water supplies identified in the SWSI. The realization is causing great concern among state officials and water administrators. In 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued a directive for the CWCB, the state’s water leadership and in conjunction with other state water agencies, to create a Colorado Water Plan.

Want to be featured as the next Member Spotlight? Contact us at kkucera@cowatercongress.org

Save the Date - CWC Summer Conference
Steamboat Springs, CO
August 20 - 22, 2019

SUMMER CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

The high-energy Summer Conference is packed with great topical content. It's a don't miss event for those who wish to stay informed about water issues in Colorado while engaging in numerous professional development activities.

Here is what you can expect for 2019:

Expert presentations on issues including land use planning, growth, and climate.
A new, interactive conference format.
Engaging Tuesday Workshops to choose from.
Networking with hundreds water industry professionals.
Wednesday afternoon POND activities in Steamboat.
Opportunities to earn CLE credits.