Membership Benefits
CWC Membership Brings Great Value for All Water Professionals
As a CWC Member you can:
Make a difference in the state’s water policy. One of our membership benefits is the opportunity to contribute to to the well-respected voice of the Water Congress in the state and federal legislative sessions. This is your opportunity to play an active, key role in advancing a positive outcome for Colorado water.
Attend the state’s premier water events. CWC members are offered exclusive access to attend our Annual Convention and Summer Conference. These events provide a platform for professionals to learn about important issues, current legislation and the latest developments that impact water users in Colorado and beyond.
Become a leader in your profession. Members can serve on our committees. These include State and Federal Affairs, Water Quality, Endangered Species, POND (Professional Outreach, Networking and Development), EDI, Water Quality, and our Board of Directors.
Who Can Be a Member?
Anyone invested in the past, present, and future of water in Colorado can become a member of the Colorado Water Congress.
We offer membership opportunities for both organizations and individuals. Thousands of CWC members represent the interests of every sector of the water industry from across the state.
Colorado Water Congress members gain a tremendous advantage from access to a powerful combination of premier events, networking and professional development opportunities. Throughout the year, we connect professionals across industries in service of water.
What’s more, membership brings the opportunity to share your ideas about water issues and be part of the leading voice of Colorado’s water community. Through our special projects and committees, you can raise your voice in support of the water industry.
Membership Types
Student Membership
For students and professionals in the first two years of their career in the water industry.
Benefits:
- Attendance at CWC events at the member rate
- Regular member communications and policy updates
Fee: $25 per year
Individual Membership
For individual professionals interested in connecting with Colorado’s water community and learning about the state’s water and water policy issues.
Benefits:
- Attendance at CWC events at the member rate
- Regular member communications and policy updates
Fee: $250 per year
Associate Membership
For small organizations interested in connecting with Colorado’s water community and learning about the state’s water and water policy issues. Includes membership for up to 10 employees.
Benefits:
- Attendance at CWC events at the member rate for up to 10 individuals.
- Regular member communications and policy updates
Fee: $500 per year
Committee Membership
For large organizations active in Colorado’s water community and interested in engaging in water policy decisions. Includes membership for all employees and board members.
Benefits:
- Attendance at CWC events at the member rate for all employees and board members.
- Regular member communications and policy updates.
- Opportunity to join any of the CWC standing committees. (Committee fees for State and Federal Affairs will be required in addition to annual membership dues.)
Fee: $1000 per year
All fees listed apply from October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026. Membership dues are subject to an annual increase. Participation on the state and federal affairs committees requires an additional fee. The dues structure is subject to change as the needs of the organization dictate.
Roadmap for CWC Member Involvement
The Colorado Water Congress is organized as the principal voice of Colorado’s water community. Our mission is to initiate and advance programs to conserve, develop, administer, and protect the water resources of the State of Colorado. The CWC Board encourages all members to be directly involved in the organization on behalf of the entire Colorado water community. CWC dedicates resources to accomplish this objective. Members have multiple avenues to engage with CWC’s mission.
What is a Work Group?
A Work Group is organized by a set of CWC members or the CWC for a specific purpose as approved by the CWC Board. Work products are completed using Work Group resources within a specific timeframe.
What is a Special Project?
A Special Project is created by the CWC Board for a long-term specific purpose. Annual budgets and funding mechanisms are set by Special Project funders. CWC serves an administrative role to collect funds for a Special Project and maintain them in a separate, annually audited bank account. A 5% administrative charge is assessed on Special Projects. If a Special Project requires CWC staff support, reimbursement for staff time may be provided.
Current Special Projects: Colorado River Endangered Species and Colorado Water Stewardship Project
What is a Standing Committee?
A Standing Committee is created by the CWC Board for an ongoing specific purpose. A Standing Committee consists of CWC members and is supported by CWC staff. An annual fee may be set by the CWC Board to cover external expenses of a Standing Committee.
Current Standing Committees: State Affairs, Federal Affairs, Water Quality, POND, and EDI.
What is a Subcommittee?
A Subcommittee is created by a Standing Committee to study and provide recommendations to the Committee on a specific issue.
NWRA Reciprocal Membership
Colorado Water Congress members may also obtain membership with the National Water Resources Association (NWRA) for no additional fee! Once you confirm membership with the Water Congress, simply email nwra@nwra.org for instructions to access your NWRA member benefits.
Since 1932, the NWRA has existed to, "promote the best use of the water resources of the nation for the benefit of our people and environment." The NWRA believes, "Access to water is a fundamental necessity for life, a cornerstone of civilization and the key to economic stability, growth and prosperity." As a fellow organization aligned on representing all interests present in the conversation around water rights, use and access, we proudly partner with the NWRA on federal water matters that affect the state of Colorado.
"NWRA thanks Congress for its attention to the critical water supply issues facing our nation, and for supporting our members as they continue to be stewards of our nation’s water supply and a critical part of the economy. Our members look forward to working with Congress and our federal agency partners to create opportunities to meet these challenges."
Colorado Representatives on NWRA Board
About the Colorado Water Congress
Founded in 1957, the Colorado Water Congress aims to advance programs and legislation that conserve, develop, administor, and protect the water resources in Colorado.
As a non-profit congress, we provide a forum to facilitate discussion water matters and resolve conflicts among water users. As an organization in an industry that encapsulates a wide variety of actors, CWC is committed to making its influence felt to the greatest extent possible in each area of public authority over water matters.
We also aim to educate the public and our membership about the most pressing water matters. Through partnerships with other water organizations, we strive for active engagement of our members through education, collaboration, and networking.