2018 Water Education Colorado Annual Report

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2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Letter From the President and Executive Director It’s impossible to overstate the importance of water to our lives.

And at Water Education Colorado, we believe it’s nearly as impossible to overstate the value of informing and engaging people about this diminishing resource in an era of climate change and rapid population growth! It’s why we’re so passionate about our mission.

We ensure Coloradans are informed on water issues and equipped to make decisions that guide our state to a sustainable water future.

2018 marked the year we began implementing the changes we established in last year’s rebrand, when we became Water Education Colorado after 15 years as the Colorado Foundation for Water Education. Through some strategic shifts, our goal has been to open doors for more Coloradans to access our programs and benefit from our independent, collaborative, and statewide approach.

In addition to pursuing continued excellence and exposure for our existing programs, we initiated a few changes to make our offerings more accessible, including: • A fresh layout for Headwaters magazine, our flagship publication • An all-new website and URL, watereducationcolorado.org • A series of informal, “Social Water” events around the state • Our newest initiative, Fresh Water News, to provide current reporting on timely water issues Even with these exciting changes, our fundamental charter and approach remain the same. We are committed to providing timely, relevant, factual information, with no advocacy agenda other than to elevate water’s importance. We continue to serve as the state’s leading hub for water education. We’ve continued building bridges among people with diverse perspectives and value sets. We’ve expanded our reporting on Colorado’s most pressing water challenges and promising steps forward. And we’ve continued training water leaders and equipping decision makers with the knowledge and skills to be effective—all while doing more to engage the general public.

We are committed to working statewide, with local partners, to bring programs and coverage to all corners of Colorado.

We couldn’t do any of this work without our diverse community of members and supporters, acknowledged in the pages that follow.

2 :: Water Education Colorado

WEco Executive Director Jayla Poppleton (left), WEco Board member and state Rep. Jeni Arndt (middle), and WEco President Lisa Darling (right) celebrated at the 2018 President's Reception at the History Colorado Center.

When we consider what a “sustainable” water future means for Colorado, we model our vision off of that adopted by the Colorado Water Plan in 2015, where the goal is to meet our state’s growing water demands while addressing critical environmental concerns, agricultural dry-up, and climate change. It means taking a holistic view and balancing competing interests—an approach Water Education Colorado is perfectly positioned to help advance through compelling reporting, engaging programming, and proven leadership training.

If you’re not yet part of our community, we invite you to join us. This is critical work, and there’s no time like the present. Water—and water education—are absolutely essential to the future of our state.

And we’d love to have your support.

Board President and Executive Director of the South Metro Water Supply Authority

Executive Director, Water Education Colorado

... for a vibrant, sustainable, and water-aware Colorado.

2018 Annual Report :: 3

1 Rain Barrel Building

The chance to build and take home a rain barrel was a draw for people in Grand Junction to come learn about water scarcity and the need to conserve. The event also received local media coverage on TV news station KJCT.

2 Snow to Stream This educator-focused workshop in Redstone featured experts on climate, forest health, snow science and soil moisture and culminated in trekking by snowshoe to a SNOTEL site on McClure Pass to learn about snow science and conduct a snow survey.

3 Water Leaders

1

Grand Junction Redstone

2

Salida

Our Water Leaders class travelled to Salida for its third of four two-day sessions, focusing on constructive communication and conflict resolution while gaining an insider’s view of Brown’s Canyon National Monument and its path to designation.

Monte Vista

4 Rio Grande Tour More than 55 legislators, water professionals, students and interested citizens joined our annual river basin tour, this time to the San Luis Valley’s Rio Grande and Conejos rivers. Nearly three dozen presenters shared about local water projects, priorities and concerns.

4 :: Water Education Colorado

3

4

5 Pedal the Poudre

5 6

We offered free urban water cycle tours along the Poudre River through Fort Collins, with Poudre Heritage Alliance, to help community members understand issues affecting their urban waterway, such as water quality, recreation and economic development.

Fort Collins

Lakewood

6 Climate Workshop Our annual Climate and Colorado’s Water Future workshop exposed participants to the science and analyses water managers and climatologists consider when planning for an uncertain future, capped with a tour of the National Ice Core Lab in Lakewood.

7 8

Colorado Springs

7 Wagers for Watersheds Our third-ever Social Water Series event featured free beer, networking, and games of chance to engage community members in learning about watershed health and the impact of wildfires, as well as how local entities are addressing postfire risks to water supplies.

Pueblo

Where We’ve Been in

2018

8 Water Fluency Now in its fourth year, Water Fluency 2018 consisted of classroom-tour combo sessions in three southern Front Range communities—Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Fountain—and certified 35 more community leaders to “speak fluent water.”

2018 Annual Report :: 5

Content Programs

Advancing the Conversation with Quality Information and Reporting Water Education Colorado is fostering an open, welcoming community of water-aware citizens who are devoted to helping secure our state’s long-term sustainability and quality of life.

Website Facelift

A major project in 2018 was to develop a brand new, cutting-edge website, and we proudly launched www.watereducationcolorado.org in June! This gives us a new platform to host an abundance of well-organized, searchable, current and compelling water news and information, including our entire existing archive—40+ issues—of Headwaters magazine, nine Citizen’s Guides to Colorado water topics, three years of Connecting the Drops radio program recordings, in addition to past webinars and Your Water Colorado blog posts. The launch of the new site also coincided with the launch of our newest content offering: Fresh Water News. Fresh Water News will dramatically expand our timely, relevant coverage of water issues in Colorado and the West in order to better inform the public and decision makers.

Through a rich mix of timely reporting, in-depth publications, public resources and online conversations, WEco has become the go-to place people come to learn about water in Colorado.

Headwaters Magazine

reached

Blog

Water Education Colorado’s Your Water Colorado blog is a community platform for sharing information, news and views on water issues around the state. Posts are generated by WEco staff, board members, as well as other writers and guest bloggers.

15,717 visitors engaged with 49 blog posts on a wide variety of topics.

Webinars

Distributed across the state and beyond, Headwaters reaches Water Education Colorado offers informative webinars on trends and niches in water research, a diverse audience including water professionals, community and business conservation, industry and more. Along leaders, agricultural and environmental "Headwaters magazine helps with engaging our own membership in topics of interest, WEco webinars organizations, educators, government officials, policymakers and others who me keep myself balanced and have helped reach new audiences in all are increasingly concerned about the knowledgeable and able to be corners of the state. future of water in Colorado. a good water advocate."

262 people attended the four webiWe circulated more than 8,250 nars we offered, including "The Threat copies of Headwaters Fall, Spring and of Aquatic Nuisance Species," "AccessSummer issues, focused on "Alternative Transfer Methods," ing Water Data," "Policy Questions around Water Sharing," "Public Lands," and "Stream Management Planning,"with and "Fires, Forests and Watershed Health." many thousands of additional online reads.

Citizen’s Guides

Water Education Colorado’s high-quality reference series features nine Citizen’s Guides to critical water topics of our time, including water law, water quality, water conservation, and more.

We distributed 1,628 Citizen’s Guides for use by individuals as well as in workshops, seminars, member events, community programming, college curriculums and our own Water Fluency course.

6 :: Water Education Colorado

305,552

Radio

A radio collaboration between Water Education Colorado and community radio stations KGNU, KDNK and KRCC, Connecting the Drops reaches up to 250,000 statewide listeners with each show.

Show topics in 2018 included: the rise of water reuse, stream management planning's intersection with flood recovery, a look back at the 2013 Front Range floods, the future of forecasting water availability, Colorado's next wild and scenic river, and more.

Education Programs

Fostering a Connected and Engaged Colorado At Water Education Colorado, we are constantly evolving our live programming to serve the diverse needs and interests of people in Colorado. There is no substitute for getting out to learn about water on the ground, and so most of our in-person educational programs incorporate a tour or field trip component.

Annual River Basin Tour

Each year, Water Education Colorado takes lawmakers, water managers, attorneys, engineers and members of the public on a multi-day tour of a river basin in Colorado to learn about the history, water management practices and challenges of the area. In 2018, we visited the Rio Grande Basin, focusing on the Rio Grande and Conejos watersheds. Tour stops included rivers, reservoirs, state wildlife areas, irrigation ditches, a ranch, the potato research station and the national park, with numerous local experts presenting.

Innovating for Viability Tour

Water Education Colorado’s mini-tours aim to expose participants to new areas of water use and management.

In 2018, we partnered with the National Young Farmers Coalition, Colorado Ag Water Alliance and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union to host a one-day tour in the lower Arkansas Valley focused on innovative solutions for agricultural viability. Participants visited operations focused on irrigation efficiency, soil health, adaptation for climate change, alternative transfer methods, water quality, farmland succession planning, and more.

Urban Water Cycle Tours

In their 7th year, our Urban Water Cycle Tours explore water issues specific to urban areas. In 2018, we hosted two half-day tours in Denver with our partners the Barr Lake Milton Reservoir Watershed Association, Colorado Stormwater Council, and Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, and two half-day tours in Ft. Collins with the Poudre Heritage Alliance. These free tours attract

822 participants

students and members of the public, giving them an opportunity to learn about water quality, flood and stormwater control, recreation management, and economic development.

Climate and Colorado’s Water Future Workshop

Our annual climate workshop, in its 8th year, covers past, present and future climate conditions in Colorado, with presentations from climate scientists as well as hydrologic modelers and water planners. The workshop combines classroom presentations with unique behind-the-scenes tours of facilities such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center and, in 2018, the National Ice Core Laboratory.

Rain Barrel Building Workshop

We held two more Rain Barrel Building workshops in 2018 as a way to engage community members who may know very little about Colorado water issues.

Nearly 40 people attended our workshop in Denver, and another 17 came to the workshop in Grand Junction.

Participants drilled holes in recycled Coca-Cola syrup drums for their downspouts and spigots, while learning about the big picture of Colorado water scarcity.

Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference

Together with our partners, the Colorado Watershed Assembly and Colorado Riparian Association, we host the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds conference in October each year. The conference attracts nearly 300 people with an interest in protecting, repairing and restoring the state’s watersheds through the exchange of new ideas and tested methods. The conference highlights current or needed policy discussions, new tools in restoration science, advances in community engagement, and more. Each year the conference culminates with a half-day field trip to a local river restoration project.

Workshopping Regional Solutions More than 100 people joined us for a workshop in Colorado Springs focused on exploring the potential for regional water solutions to help communities meet their future water demands, particularly in regions dependent on non-renewable groundwater. The workshop featured presenters from around the state, sharing their experiences in partnering to achieve efficiencies in operations and economies of scale. They represented agencies, special districts, municipal utilities, engineering consultants and water lawyers. The conversation focused on opportunities for increased cooperation and coordination, including between different private, government and community entities. Participants responding to a post-program evaluation had this to say: "Conference was informative and speakers brought practical insight from their experiences.”

"The level of interest in regional cooperation among municipalities and districts is greater than I anticipated.”

"Provided a neutral setting and venue for frank discussions - kicked off our regional discussion.”

"Most of the entities in the state want to do more with regionalization, but didn’t know where to start.”

82%

said the workshop would affect their future decision making

2018 Annual Report :: 7

Leadership Programs

Driving Collaborative Solutions by Equipping Leaders In order to tackle Colorado’s water challenges head-on, we foster collaborative, knowledgeable leadership across the state through our leadership programs.

Water Leaders

Water Leaders The Water Leaders program has made me hungry. Call it confidence, call it motivation.

Gaining clarity and purpose, or at least a way-point, of where you are in your life/career is powerful.

One of my favorite sessions was “Finding your Why.” I am not going to go into the details of the session, but the end result is a single statement that clearly and definitively describes why you are on this earth and what your purpose is. This statement becomes the centroid for who you are, allowing you to define your goals and your personal/professional trajectory. I am thankful for this experience.

I truly believe that the Water Leaders Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is a chance for you to create space, to pause time, and to evaluate who you are personally and professionally and who you want to become.

That is a very rare opportunity, and there is nothing else like it.

Mark Mitisek Project Manager Leonard Rice Engineers

8 :: Water Education Colorado

Recognized as the premier professional development course for the water community in Colorado, WEco’s Water Leaders Program aims to positively impact the profession by creating a pipeline of skilled water leaders across diverse fields.

Since 2006, Water Leaders has continued to evolve by covering the latest water issues and employing advanced development tools to train water professionals on becoming more effective leaders and navigating the complex world of Colorado water.

16 new water leaders graduated from our program in 2018.

Water Fluency is made up of four in-person classroom days, water-focused site visits, online discussions, and homework between classroom days. Class size is limited to 35 participants, who represent a range of sectors and perspectives. We hold the "I came away from the Water course in a new geographic Educator Network SNOTEL work- region each year, focusing shop with many new ideas that on local issues through a statewide lens. In 2018, the I can directly implement in my course was in its 4th year, and classroom." was held in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Fountain.

Water Leaders alumni now number 159 and remain an active group who engage in networking events and occasional follow-up leadership offerings.

Water Fluency

193

officials, city/county staff, community and business leadparticipants ers, special district staff, board members for water organizations, and anyone who is interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of water management and policy issues.

Every day, Coloradans are faced with important decisions about our state’s water. We equip non-water professionals to navigate the complex world of water and lead their communities and organizations with confidence through our Water Fluency course. This comprehensive program is designed for elected

Water Educator Network

The Water Educator Network (WEN) supports and connects Colorado’s education and outreach professionals dedicated to advancing understanding about water. WEN provides members and other participants opportunities to interact, share resources, develop professionally, and gain access to trusted water information, as well as collaborate with their colleagues.

In 2018, WEN members numbered 53, and came from 40 different organizations.

6 Water Educator Network workshops and trainings → 142 participants → 58,800 students and members of the public impacted

Because I don't work in the agriculture space, I learned a lot about those needs and impacts. I also think the overall water law and policy language and conversation helped me understand the bigger picture, while finally being able to keep up in conversations about water planning and supplies."

–Jamie Alvarez, GBSM

2018 Annual Report :: 9

We couldn’t do it without you

2018 Volunteers

Volunteer Spotlight: Birgit Landin Birgit contributed to numerous key program activities in 2018, as a presenter, co-organizer, and volunteer lead. We had a blast working with her, and truly couldn’t have done it without her.

Here’s what Birgit has to say about volunteering with WEco: Water education programming is foundational to Colorado Springs Utilities’ water conservation objectives and WEco provides a critical platform to help us meet our goals. During 2018, I had the distinct pleasure of working directly with WEco staff on several water education events: the Implementing Regional Water Solutions workshop, Wagers for Watersheds social water series event, and the Water Festival Coordinators Gathering. Their experience, guidance and teamwork made these events so much fun, brought depth to the content, lightened the load, and established friendships. I look forward to continuing to work together with WEco on water education programming!

Birgit Landin Water Conservation Specialist Colorado Springs Utilities

10 :: Water Education Colorado

Garald Barber John Bartholow Mike Bartolo Amy Beatie Drew Beckwith Laura Belanger Richard Belt Tim Biolchini Becky Bolinger Michael Brod Holly Brown Chris Brown Fred Bunch Joseph Burtard Nancy Butler Perry Cabot Anne Castle Tom Cech Elaine Chick Chuck Cichowitz Nathan Coombs Craig Cotten Sean Cronin Shelley Curtis Casey Davenhill Matt Day Aaron Derwingson Nolan Doesken Todd Doherty John Duggan

Heather Dutton Carol Ekarius Brian Ervin Daneya Esgar Samuel Essah Nathan Fey Mike Fink Taryn Finnessey Angie Fowler Joe Frank Andrew Funchess Julia Gallucci Russell George Jerry Gibbens Jennifer Gimbel Jeff Goats Kristin Green Kate Greenberg Bob Hamel Mark Harris Dave Harris Taylor Hawes Polly Hays Eric Hecox Matt Heimerich James Henderson Greg Higel Todd Hinkley Kyle Hinton Glenn Hirakata

Greg Hobbs Dan Hobbs Luke Hoffman Hannah Holm David Holm Eric Howell Bill Hoyt Peter Ismert Chris Ivers Gregory Johnson Aubriel Jones Kendra Kelly Doug Kenney Zane Kessler Gerry Knapp Jennifer Kovecses Ted Kowalski Daniel Kreeger Doug Krieger Frank Kugel R. Eric Kuhn Birgit Landin Rick Lofaro Steve Lohr Becky Long April Long Judy Lopez Scott Lorenz Christine Lowenberg Dan Luecke

Nicole Seltzer, River Network Supported the Summer 2018 issue of Headwaters magazine and a Headwaters LIVE panel (second from left)

Jeff Lukas Steve Lundt Kevin Lusk Oscar Martinez Seth Mason Kevin McBride Bill McCormick Adam McCurdy Rebecca Mitchell Liza Mitchell Andy Moore Larry Morandi Catherine Moravec Molly Morris Andrew Mueller Ken Neubecker Katy Neusteter Noah Newman Peter Nichols David Nickum Sarah Noller Corey Odell Blake Osborn Elise Osenga Jill Ozarski Tom Perry Linda Perry Gregory Peterson Jennifer Peterson Madelyn Phillips

Allison Plute Jim Pokrandt Michael Preston Joseph Rasmussen Emma Reesor Kevin Rein Erin Riccio Lauren Ris Ellen Roberts Brendon Rockey John Rodgers Mark Rudolph Ana Ruiz Tom Rusler Ashley Rusler Nick Rusler Kirk Russell Susan Ryan Robert Sakata Mollie Schreck Scott Schreiber Chris Scolari Anita Seitz Nicole Seltzer Jen Shanahan Cleave Simpson Mark Simpson Larry Small Travis Smith Zach Smith

Nancy Smith Meagan Smith Hally Strevey John Stulp Chris Sturm Kevin Terry Tyler Thompson Chris Treese Thomas Trout Andrew Valdez Steve Vandiver Roy Vaughn Doug Vilsack Alan Ward Robert Ward Reagan Waskom Mike Weber Brian Werner Karl Wetlaufer Rob White Bruce Whitehead Mely Whiting Eric Wilkinson Jordan Williams Cody Williams Troy Wineland Jim Yahn Rachel Zancanella

Mike Bartolo, Colorado State University Extension Supported the Innovating for Viability - Land and Water Tour (left)

$0

Financials STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION CURRENT ASSETS

Cash & Cash Equivalents

Contracts Receivable

Property & Equipment

Prepaid Expenses TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts Payable

Payroll Accruals

Deferred Revenue

Copier Lease Liability

Line of Credit

Total Liabilities

$50,000

$150,000

$250,000

$350,000

$450,000

Program Services

(Leadership, Education and Content)

Management & General

2018 Revenue FY2018

FY2017

$ 358,934 $ 67,342 $ 64,651 $ 12,275 $ 503,202

$ 197,262 $ 15,093 $ 2,775 $ 215,130

$ 66,663 $ 21,745 $ 2,000 $7,394

$ 29,310 $ 15,109 $ 12,700

$ 97,802

$ 57,119

NET ASSETS

Unrestricted

Total Net Assets

$ 405,400 $ 405,400

$ 158,011 $ 158,011

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

$ 503,202

$ 215,130

REVENUE

Foundation Grants

Government Grants

Program Fees

Contributions

Membership Dues

Special Events

Less: Direct Event Expenses

Sale of Materials

Interest

All Other

In Kind

$ 265,198 $ 174,544 $ 140,382 $ 144,515 $ 100,493 $ 62,445 ($ 40,563) $ 11,195 $ 39 $ 754 $ 6,500

$ 5,000 $ 155,000 $ 122,090 $ 116,077 $ 95,396 $ 46,500 ($ 23,258) $ 15,066 $ 35 $ 1,253

TOTAL REVENUE

$ 865,502

$ 533,159

Fundraising

$865,502

Foundation Grants Contributions

Government Grants Membership Dues

Sales of Materials

Interest

Program Fees

Special Events 0

All Other

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES 2018 Expenses

$618,113

EXPENSES

Program Services $ 427,991 $ 396,455

Supporting Services

Management & General $ 122,641 $ 96,160

Fundraising $ 67,481 $ 55,346 Program Services TOTAL EXPENSES

$ 618,113

$ 547,961

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS

$ 247,389

$ (14,802)

NET ASSETS, beginning of year

$ 158,011

$ 172,813

NET ASSETS, end of year

$ 405,400

$ 158,011

$0

$50,000

$150,000

$250,000

$350,000

$450,000

(Leadership, Education and Content)

Management & General

Fundraising

Based on reviewed financial statement by Taylor, Roth and Company

2018 Annual Report :: 11

$865,502

Thank you for helping us spread

water education across Colorado Thanks to the valuable contributions of our members and donors, Water Education Colorado has been able to deliver quality, comprehensive water education programs across Colorado since 2002. A sincere thank you to our Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018) members and donors. ($25,000+) CoBank • Colorado Water Conservation Board • Walton Family Foundation

($5,000+) Aurora Water • Board of Water Works of Pueblo • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment • Colorado River District • Colorado Springs Utilities • Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority • Denver Water • Jefferson County • Meridian Metropolitan District • MillerCoors • Northern Water • Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Board • Southwestern Water Conservation District • Special District Association of Colorado • ThinkWater • Wright Water Engineers

($2,000+) City of Fountain • City of Thornton • Collins Cockrel & Cole • Colorado Water Congress • Environmental Defense Fund • Farm Credit of Southern Colorado • HDR • Eric Hecox • Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District • Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority • Bret & Jayla Poppleton • Rio Grande Water Conservation District • SGM • Shea Properties • South Metro Water Supply Authority • Heather Stauffer • The River Network • Ute Water Conservancy District

($1,000+) Anadarko Petroleum • Applegate Group • Central Colorado Water Conservancy District • City of Fort Morgan • City of Grand Junction - Utilities • City of Longmont • Colorado Contractors Association • Colorado Potato Administrative Committee • Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. • Metropolitan State University • Metro Wastewater Reclamation District • Morgan County Quality Water District • Northern Water Municipal Subdistrict • Republican River Water Conservation District • San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District • South Platte Water Related Activities Program • Gregg Ten Eyck & Corrin Campbell • Town of Monument • Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association • Barbara Ullmann • Vranesh and Raisch, LLP • White & Jankowski • Wright Family Foundation

12 :: Water Education Colorado

($500+) A Adaptive Resources, Inc. B Cheryl Benedict • Kevin Bergschneider • Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc. • Brown and Caldwell C Carlson, Hammond & Paddock, LLC • City of Fort Collins—Natural Areas Department • Colorado Parks and Wildlife D Lisa Darling • Ducks Unlimited • Blaine Dwyer F Farnsworth Group, Inc. • Forsgren Associates, Inc. G Mary Gearhart • George K. Baum & Company • Guaranty Bank and Trust H Greg Hobbs J Greg Johnson K Knopf Family Foundation • Kogovsek and Associates, Inc. L Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District • Ken Lykens M Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous • Margaret A. Frank Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation • Alan Matlosz • John Maus • Maynes, Bradford, Shipps & Sheftel • John McClow • Lisa McVicker N NOCO Engineering Company P Jim Pokrandt R Roggen Farmers Elevator Association • Roxborough Water and Sanitation District S Scott Schreiber • Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District • Summit County T TZA Water Engineers U University of Colorado Office for Outreach & Engagement • Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District • Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District W Weld County Farm Bureau • Wilson Water Group ($250+) A Agri-Enterprises, Inc. B Big Thompson Watershed Forum C CDM Smith • Centennial Water and Sanitation District • City of Fort Collins • Colorado Corn • Colorado Livestock Association • Colorado Municipal League • Colorado Water Institute • Colorado Water Trust • Conejos Water Conservancy District • Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District D Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc. • Delta County • Donala Water and Sanitation District • Douglas County E ELEMENT Water Consulting • Evans Group, LLC F Fairfield and Woods, P.C. G Dala Giffin H Harris Water Engineering, Inc. • Headwaters Corporation • Scott Hummer J Jeff Larson Insurance Agency • JLB Engineering Consultants • J-U-B Engineers, Inc. K Laurna Kaatz L Paul Lander • Left Hand Water District • Dan Luecke M Martin and Wood Water Consultants • Dennis McGrane • Middle Park Water Conservancy District N North Poudre Irrigation Company • North Sterling Irrigation District • North Table Mountain Water and Sanitation District • North Weld County Water District O Otero County P Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation District R Howard Ramsdell • Red Rocks Community College • Renew Strategies, LLC • Robert Rich • Frank Riggle • Rocky Mountain Farmers Union S Schmidt Construction • Mark Scott • Bo Shaffer • Simon Land and Cattle Co., Inc. • South Adams County Water and Sanitation District • Stifel Nicolaus • Keith Swerdfeger T Town of Castle Rock • Town of Windsor • Bill Trampe • Chris Treese U Ulliman Schutte V Garrett Varra W Water Demand Management • Dianna Welton • Brian Werner & Tina Del Ponte • West Greeley Conservation District • West Sage Water Consultants • WetData • David & Desiree Wubben ($100+) 20 Sleeps West Real Estate A David Akers • Frank Anesi • Arkansas River Basin Water Forum • Jeni Arndt • Kathleen Arsenault B David Bailey • Dianne Bailey • John Bartholow • Matthew Becker • Richard Belt • Bradford Benning • Amy Blackwell • Richard Bratton • Andrey & Galina Butylev C Carollo Engineers • Anne Castle • Tom Cech • Jon Chambers • Steve Coffin • Caitlin Coleman • Colorado Water Protective and Development Association • Confluence Water Consulting • Amy Conklin • Ken Curtis D Rebecca Dowling • Dynotek E Patrick Emery F Nathan Fey • Mike Fink • Jim Ford • Angie Fowler • Mark Fuller G Jay Gallagher • Pam Gardiner & Lyle Geurts • Russell George • Kevin Gertig • Sheila Giusti • Thomas Gougeon H Hillary Hamann • Christine Hartman • Taylor Hawes • Alan Heath • Matt Heimerich • Hoffman Insurance Agency I Julio Iturreria J Brian Jackson • Katie Jagt • Amy Johnson K Dave Kanzer • Chris Kraft L Lambert Realty • Donald Langley • Katryn Leone • Lutin Curlee Family Partnership, Ltd. M Matt Machado • Janet Marlow • Patricia Matthews • Richard McAllister • Kevin McBride • Mark McCluskey • Bill McCormick • Julie McKenna • Rebecca Mitchell • Diane Mitsch Bush • Reed Morris N Katy Neusteter • Josh Nims P Ian Paton • Bob Peters • Hensley Peterson • Sarah Pitts • Allison Plute • David Pusey R Patty Rettig • Collin Robinson • Steven Rogowski S Rick Sackbauer • St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District • Thomas Sharp • Glen Simpson • Zach Smith • Claire Sollars • Laura Spann • D. Randall Spydell • David Stiller T Jennifer Tanaka • Rachel Theler • Rich Tocher • Town of Breckenridge - Water Division • Jean Townsend • Daniel Tyler W The Water Information Program • W. W. Wheeler & Associates, Inc. • Michael Weakley • Robert Weaver • Eric Wilkinson • Tom Williamsen • Dick Wolfe • Kenneth & Ruth Wright Z Mickey Zeppelin ($50+) A Craig Adams • Vic Ahlberg • Beth Albrecht • Richard Alper • Matt Appelbaum • Jim Aranci • Jolene Arnold • Jade Arocha • Jeffrey Arthur • Lena Atencio B Bruce Bacon • Balcomb and Green, P.C. • Jeff Bandy • Vicky & Pat Barney • Kimberly Barnstable • Tony Barrie • Joseph Barsugli • William Battaglin • Bear Creek Water and Sanitation District • Beattie, Houpt & Jarvis, LLP • David Beaujon • Drew

Beckwith • Laura Belanger • Mike Berry • David Berry • Jennifer Bills • Peter Binney • Karen Bish • Glen Black • Christi Bode • Andrew Boesenecker • Gary Boldt • Sarah Borgers • Dave Bower • James Boynton • Larry Brazil • Norman Brooks • Natalie Brower-Kirton • Carlee Brown • Marilyn Brown • Lisa Buchanan • Buffalo Mountain Metro District • Rob Buirgy • Ann Bunting • Joseph Burtard • Peter Butler • Kathleen Butler C Michael Calhoun • Katherine Carroll • Robert Case • Castle Pines Metropolitan District • Gretchen Cerveny • Chambers Econ & Analytics • Kathy Chandler-Henry • Elaine Chick • Jim Clare • Aaron Clay • Michael Cohen • Debbie Cokes • Bill Coleman • Nick Colglazier • Ted Collin • Kevin Collins • Dave Colvin • Mike Connolly • Jason Cooley • Carrie Cordova • Craig Cotten • Chris Crosby D Marsha Daughenbaugh • Glenna Depperschmidt • Christina Dinegar • Sarah Dominick • Jamie Duvall E Jim Ehrlich • Rodney Eisenbraun • Carol Ekarius • Nathan Elder • Pam Elsner • Cole Emmons • May Engquist • Lewis Entz • Robert Enzaldo F Joanne Fagan • Paul Fanning • Scott Fifer • Judy Firestien • Thomas Flanagan Jr. • Tom Fletcher • Jack Flowers • J. R. Ford • Meg Frantz G Julia Gallucci • Alf Gardner • Bill Goosmann • Marshall Gordon • Steve Groh • Pete Gunderson H Harriet Hageman • Margaret Hagenbuch • Wendy Hanophy • Eric Harmon • Paul Harms • Ian Hartley • Jessica Harvey • Roy Heald • Brendan Hedel • Tanya Heikkila • Carla Hendrickson • Mark Hermundstad • James Hickman • Donald Higbee • Chris Hill • Jeannette Hillery • Jim Hogan • Jim Hokit • Allen Holcombe • John Holdren • Hannah Holm • Barbara Horn • Patricia Horoschak • Bethany Howell • Tom Huber • Terry Huffington • Phyllis Hunt • Nancy Hurt • Hydros Consulting Inc. • James Hyre J Nancy Jackson • Dawn Jewell • Pete Johnson • Sarah Johnson • Christine Johnston • Adam Jokerst • John Justman K Korey Kadrmas • Kurt Keeley • Russell Kemp • David Kienholz • Frank Kinder • Kirk Klancke • Stan Kloberdanz • Tracy Kosloff • Krage Manufacturing, LLC • Robert Krassa • G. Thomas Kraus • Keli Kringel • Rod Kuharich L Terry Lance • Birgit Landin • Donna Larson • Lee Ledesma • Cindy Lefever • Margaret Lenz • Mark Levorsen • Patricia Locke • Robert Longenbaugh • Marsha Looper • Andrea Lopez • Jeff Lukas M Vic Makau • Steve Malers • Elizabeth Manus • Zachary Margolis • Mikal Martinez • Bryan McCarty • McCarty Land and Water Valuation • Charles McKay • Margaret Medellin • Meeker Regional Library District • Joe Meigs • Blair Miller • Minion Hydrologic • Joy Minke • Erin Minks • April Montgomery • Larry Morandi • Larry Morgan • Stephanie Joy Morse • Ann Mullins N David Nelson • Bill Nesbitt • Ben Norman • Norton Appraisal Services, Inc. O Trisha Oeth • Emily Olivo • Ellen Olson P Wayne Pandorf • Dick Parachini • Rica Pargas-Ficco • Deb Parker • Tom Parks • Bill Parzybok • Brian Payer • Jack Perrin • Stephanie Phippen • Pikes Peak Library District • Deborah Polich • Peter Pollock • Mary Presecan • Kira Puntenney-Desmond R Realtors Land Institute - Colorado Chapter • Jamie Reddig • Klinton Reedy • Gene Reetz • David Reinertsen • Melvin Rettig • Ann Rhodes • Jane Rhodes • Lee Rimel • Laurie Rink • Vicki Ripp • Marilee Rippy • Lauren Ris • Ellen Roberts • Steve Rogers • Duncan Rose • Donny Roush • Ken Rutt • Su Ryden S Rebecca Samulski • George Saum • Wayne Schieldt • Chad Schneider • Gloria Schoch • Elizabeth Schoder • Stephanie Schwenke • Don Schwindt • Alyson Scott • Way Shen • Cassandra Shenk • Ryan Shepler • Colleen Shipley • Nona Shipman • Jack Sibold • Lisa Sigler • JoAnn Slivka • Gail Smith • James Smith • Jason Smith • MaryLou Smith • Shannon Spurlock • Laurel Stadjuhar • Timothy Steele • Jenelle Stefanic • Craig Steinmetz • Joe Stepanek • Merrill Stillwell • Kenneth Strom • Ed Struzeski • Carol Sullivan • Summit Global Management • Sustainable Waters, LLC T Pete Taylor • Kevin Terry • Andrew Todd • Mick Todd • Milt Tokunaga • Town of Firestone • Brian Tracy • Carl Trick • Curran Trick • Tri-County Water Conservancy District • Thomas Trout • Molly Trujillo • TST Infrastructure, LLC • Ken Turnbull V Paul van der Heijde • Jean Van Pelt • Wayne Vanderschuere • James VanShaar • Tom Verquer • Robert Viscount W Shelley Walchak • Susan Walker • Charles Wanner • Robert Ward • Tom Waymire • Bert Weaver • David Wegner • Gaythia Weis • Weld County Underground Water Users Association • Michael Welsh• WestWater Engineering • Nik White • Widefield Water and Sanitation District • Jody Williams • Lacey Williams • Kay Willson • Troy Wineland • Laura Wing • Gerald Wischmeyer • Geoff Withers • Karen Wogsland • Richard Wojciechowski • Connie Woodhouse • Lane Wyatt • W-Y Ground Water Management District X Xcel Energy Foundation Z Viviana Zavala ($20+) A Karlyn Armstrong B Joshua Baile • Amy Beatie • Tillie Bishop C Javier Canales • Melissa Cech • Robert Chapin • Geraldine Colette • Margaret Corcoran D Jody Dickson • Reed Dils G Catherine Gates • Jennifer Geurts H Jim Havey J Emily Jackson K McCarthy Kessler • Krista Kushik M Craig Mackey • Austin Malotte • Miguel Martinez • Peter Mayer N Daniel Niemela P Alicia Prescott R Karen Rademacher S George Sibley • Andrew Speck U Craig Ullmann • Jason Ullmann W Ben Wade

2018 Annual Report :: 13

Staff & Board Staff

Board of Directors

Jayla Poppleton Executive Director

Lisa Darling President

Jennie Geurts Operations Director

Gregory J. Hobbs, Jr. Vice President

Stephanie Scott Leadership Programs Manager

Gregg Ten Eyck Vice President

Caitlin Coleman Headwaters Editor & Communications Specialist

Alan Matlosz Treasurer

Jerd Smith Fresh Water News Editor Sophie Kirschenman Education & Outreach Coordinator

14 :: Water Education Colorado

Eric Hecox Past President Rep. Jeni Arndt Rick Cables Nick Colglazier Jorge Figueroa Greg Johnson Scott Lorenz Dan Luecke Kevin McBride Kate McIntire Reed Morris Lauren Ris Travis Robinson Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg Laura Spann Chris Treese Reagan Waskom

Introducing Fresh Water News Water Education Colorado has a brand-new news service dedicated to covering Colorado and Western water issues! Fresh Water News officially launched in July 2018, in conjunction with the launch of WEco’s new website.

Fresh Water News, along with our new online platform at wateredco.org has greatly enhanced our ability to inform Colorado’s public and decision makers.

The launch of the news initiative, as well as the new website, were made possible by an initial start-up grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

WEco’s vision for Fresh Water News is to foster increased awareness and informed decision making around water issues that are vital to Colorado’s future. By establishing ourselves as a source of credible, relevant news that is useful to under-resourced mainstream media outlets, we are helping to fill gaps in coverage while also expanding WEco’s visibility as a resource to dig deeper into water issues.

We’re also advancing understanding among a much wider audience of Coloradans who are paying attention to local and regional water matters.

Since its launch, Fresh Water News has reported dozens of up-to-the minute stories on the most important water issues of the year. Fresh Water News is delivered via a weekly email news report, and has begun getting picked up by media outlets ranging from the Sterling Journal Advocate to the Colorado Springs Gazette, as well as several news aggregators. In the months ahead, we’ll be working hard to expand readership in the water community and beyond so that readers turn to Fresh Water News as their No. 1 source for Colorado water news.

Fresh Water News is a tremendous vehicle to advance our mission and updated vision, adopted with our 2017 re-brand, to “build a bigger tent” by making our programs more accessible and engaging a broader audience. Watch for our byline in the local paper, and help us grow our readership by encouraging your friends and colleagues to subscribe at wateredco.org to receive our free weekly news reports.

We Need Your Support!

You can support our mission to ensure Coloradans are informed on water issues and equipped to make decisions that guide our state to a sustainable water future in a variety of ways!

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FRESH WATER NEWS

weekly independent western water news • Stay engaged through membership - individuals and organizations welcome!

• Sponsor a program to provide valuable funding and showcase your organization’s support • Advertise in Fresh Water News or Headwaters magazine to stay front and center with our readers • Donate online by visiting wateredco.org/get-involved/donate at any time • Consider making a major gift, or including WEco in your estate plan. Contact us and we can help you think through the options.

2018 Annual Report :: 15

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