2021 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR MISSION
We’re on a mission to ensure Coloradans are informed on water issues and equipped to make decisions that guide our state to a sustainable water future.
OUR VALUES
Water is life - Celebrate it and protect it.
Information is for all - Be accessible to anyone who wants to understand and engage.
Objectivity is fundamental - Include diverse perspectives for balanced solutions.
Knowledge is progress - Empower Coloradans to learn and lead thoughtfully.
Collaboration is powerful - Enable partnerships because we are better together.
OUR VISION
A
vibrant, sustainable, and water-aware
Colorado
We envision a Colorado in which newcomers, long-time residents, and those who have lived here their whole lives appreciate and understand water, and where people of all backgrounds and perspectives, in all localities, are learning, listening, engaging and working together on collaborative water solutions.
We see a Colorado in which people make individual and institutional decisions and demonstrate thoughtful water stewardship in their behaviors and actions.
We see a WEco that is an inspiring and authentic partner for water educators, water leaders and water users, and whose audience is representative of the state’s demographic and geographic diversity.
OUR APPROACH
Bridging gaps in understanding with integrity
We understand that water issues can be both complex and polarizing, so we work to bring together diverse perspectives, build bridges among sectors, and provide valuable reporting, training and resources for all Coloradans.
Total Number of People Reached: 202,772
HEADWATERS MAGAZINE | WEco’s flagship publication covered the timely topics of Wildfire, Water Storage, and Land and Water Trusts, reaching an audience of more than 7,500 that included state legislators, local government officials, basin roundtable members, water professionals, business and agricultural sector leaders, educators, students and more. Webinars and blog posts featuring complimentary content further deepened readers’ understanding.
CITIZEN’S GUIDES | In 2021, WEco distributed more than 2,800 hard copies of guides from our library, while many hundreds of additional readers accessed these resources online. The high-quality reference series features 10 guides to critical water resource management topics ranging from water law to interstate compacts, water conservation, water quality protection, where your water comes from and more.
FRESH WATER NEWS | Fresh Water News continued to deliver a weekly news report with original reporting and a curated news digest directly to more than 5,000 subscribers. With numerous articles republished in other news outlets across Colorado, Fresh Water News’ nonpartisan journalism reached an estimated 93,500 readers in 2021, keeping them informed of critical water issues.
WATER LEADERS PROGRAM | The 2021 Water Leaders Program trained 16 water sector professionals on emotional intelligence, leadership style, skillful communication, change management, conflict navigation, and inclusive leadership. They left more confident and equipped to effectively lead their teams and projects toward collaborative solutions for Colorado’s water future, bringing the total number of graduates impacted over the program’s lifetime to 206.
WATER FLUENCY PROGRAM | The 2021 Water Fluency Program provided in-depth education on Colorado’s water policy and management history, frameworks, and current challenges to 35 diverse participants. This year, regional case studies and examples shined the spotlight on the Yampa/White/Green River Basin. Participants reported increased confidence in developing informed opinions on water issues, as well as increased awareness of the range of stakeholders affected by water issues and their unique priorities.
TOURS | Nearly 450 people participated in WEco’s tours in 2021, getting up-close with regional water management projects, challenges and solutions. We offered our first-ever virtual Annual River Basin Tour, featuring the Lower Arkansas River Basin. The Urban Water Cycle Tour series featured tours co-hosted with area partners in both Denver and Colorado Springs. Another first, the Denver cycle tour was also made available as a virtual option.
WATER EDUCATOR NETWORK | WEco continued to lead and support the Water Educator Network (WEN). In 2021, 59 WEN affiliates participated in the annual Water Festival Coordinators Gathering, the annual WEN Symposium, and a Facilitator Training for Project WET curriculum. In addition, nine teachers from Denver Public Schools received water education training through a teacher Professional Development Unit offered by WEco together with area partners.
SUSTAINING COLORADO WATERSHEDS CONFERENCE
| In 2021, we reconvened our annual conference to come “Together Like Never Before.” Combining in-person and virtual attendance, we saw a near-record turnout of more than 270 people. Sessions covered water quality, stream and forest health, innovative partnerships, funding opportunities and more, and fireside chats added a new element to the conference format.
ABOVE: 2021 Water Leader Graduates.
MIDDLE: Engaged community members participating in the free Urban Water Cycle Tour in Colorado Springs. BELOW: Water educators hear from Andrea Lopez at the 2021 Water Educator Network Symposium.
OUR MEMBERS & SUPPORTERS
With sincere gratitude, we recognize our Fiscal Year 2021 members and contributors for the period between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. We couldn’t accomplish our mission without them!
$35,000+
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Johanna A. Favrot Fund
Walton Family Foundation
$10,000+
Aurora Water
Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
Molson Coors
Southwestern Water Conservation District
Special District Association of Colorado
$5,000+
Alpine Bank
City of Greeley Water & Sewer Department
CoBank
Colorado Media Project
Colorado River District
Colorado Springs Utilities
Denver Water
Gates Family Foundation
Meridian Metropolitan District
Northern Water
Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Program
Pueblo Water
South Metro Water Supply Authority
The Water Desk at the University of Colorado Boulder
This American Land
Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District
Varra Companies, Inc.
Brian Werner
$2,000+
Bryan Bernicky
Central Colorado Water Conservancy District
City of Thornton
Colorado Water Congress
Stephen Gay
HDR
Lynker Technologies
Republican River Water Conservation District
Rio Grande Water Conservation District
Roggen Farmers' Elevator Association
Nick Ryan
SGM
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association
Ute Water Conservancy District
Garrett Varra
Vranesh and Raisch
Westervelt Ecological Services
$1,000+
Applegate Group
Cheryl Benedict
Sunit and Janea Bhalla
City of Grand Junction
Charles and Clydette de Groot
Hill & Robbins, P.C.
Greg Hobbs
Keep It Colorado
Knopf Family Foundation
Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District
LRE Water
Metropolitan State University
Andy Mueller
Northern Water Municipal Subdistrict
Palmer Land Conservancy
Parker Water and Sanitation District
Bret and Jayla Poppleton
SPWRAP
John Stulp
Gregg Ten Eyck
The Consolidated Mutual Water Company
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Town of Monument
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
WestWater Research, LLC
$500
Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous
Alan Matlosz
John Maus
Middle Park Water Conservancy District
Mt. Werner Water
Pikes Peak Heritage Series, El Pomar Foundation
Pinery Water and Wastewater District
Mary Presecan
Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust
Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association
Roxborough Water and Sanitation District
Bo Shaffer
Mike Shimmin
Summit County
SWCA Environmental Consultants
Keith Swerdfeger
Christopher Treese
Daniel Tyler
Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District
Water Information Program
Weld County Farm Bureau
Western Resource Advocates
Kenneth and Ruth Wright
Wright Family Foundation
$250+
BBA Water Consultants
Laura Belanger and John Rodgers
Richard Bratton
Perry Cabot
Centennial Water & Sanitation District
City of Westminster
Collins Cockrel & Cole
Colorado Livestock Association
Colorado Municipal League
Conejos Water Conservancy District
Deere & Ault Consultants, Inc.
Delta County
Dominion Water & Sanitation District
Donala Water & Sanitation District
Douglas County
Blaine and Patty Dwyer
ECOS Communications
Evan Ela
ERO Resources Corp.
Evans Group, LLC
Fairfield and Woods, P.C.
Paul Fanning
Forsgren Associates Inc.
Les Gelvin
Russell George
Jonathan and Jennie Geurts
Matt Heimerich
Henrylyn Irrigation District
High Country Hydrology, Inc.
Kogovsek and Associates, Inc.
Donald Langley
Left Hand Water District
Stephen Loyd
Margaret A. Frank Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation
Martin and Wood Water Consultants
Morgan County Quality Water District
North Poudre Irrigation Company
North Sterling Irrigation District
OneFish Engineering, LLC
Jill Ozarski
Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation District
Platte River Power Authority
Jim Pokrandt
Pueblo West Metropolitan District
Reeder Creek Ranch
Renew Strategies, LLC
Robert Rich
River Network
Trevor Ryan
San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Claire Sollars
Shannon Spurlock
St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District
Jeff Stahla
Edward Tolen
Town of Castle Rock
Trout Raley
Water Demand Management
West Greeley Conservation District
White Sands Water Engineers, Inc.
Mary and Hal Williamson
Gerald Wischmeyer
Wright Water Engineers
$100+
Gregg Altimari
Christine Arbogast
Arkansas River Basin Water Forum
Laura Backus
Lisa and David Bailey
Garald Barber
Tony Barrie
Barbara Biggs
Dan Birch
Gary Boldt
Matthew Brown
Paul Bruchez
Thomas Bruchmann
Jim Butler
Peter Butler
Joan Card
Susan Carollo
Elizabeth Carter
Anne Castle
Bill Coleman
Colorado Health Foundation
John Covert
Tara Cox
Jim Cummings
Kenneth Curtis
Greg Dewey
Patrick and Cathy Emery
George Farnsworth
Farrell Excavating
Michael Fink
Jay Gallagher
Pam Gardiner and Lyle
Geurts
John Gerstle
Dala Giffin
Marshall Gordon
Thomas Gougeon
Alyson Gould
Pete Gunderson
Hillary Hamann
James Havey
Taylor Hawes
Roy Heald
Alan Heath
Gregg Hendry
Kate and Jeff Hollenbach
Holly Huyck
Don Ireland
Gregory Johnson
Frank Kinder
James Kontny
Paul Lander
Daniel Law
Gant Lee
Katie Leone
Patricia Locke
Chancy Love
Kim MacDonnell
Juan Roberto Madrid
Richard McAllister
McCarty Land and Water Valuation
John McClow
Bill McCormick
Dennis McGrane
Trina McGuire-Collier
Bill McKee
Julie McKenna
Lisa McVicker
Erin Minks
Rebecca Mitchell
Larry Morandi
Dorothy J Myers
Tyler Nading
Gary Nuss
Laine and Tim O'Neal
Sarah Parmar
William Parzybok
Bob Peters
Jeremy Phillips
Jennifer Pitt
Sarah Pitts
Gabe Racz
Howard Ramsdell
Tom Reiners
Patricia Rettig
Ann Rhodes
Ellen Roberts
Steven Rogowski
Katherine Ryan
Alli Schuch
Thomas Sharp
Celia Sheneman
Jim Shock
Lynn Southard
Laura Spann
D Randall Spydell
Laurel Stadjuhar
David Stewart
Michael Stiehl
David Stiller
Ed Struzeski
Patty Stulp
Rich Tocher
Jean Townsend
Bill Trampe
Bill Treadwell
Ryan Unterreiner
Tom Verquer
Robert Viscount
W. W. Wheeler & Associates, Inc.
Richard Wagner
Robert Weaver
Michael Welsh
Eric Wilkinson
Jody Williams
Tom Williamsen
Dick Wolfe
Kristin Yantis
Morton Zeppelin
$50+
Zach Ahlberg
Beth Albrecht
Richard Alper
Frank Anesi
Matthew Appelbaum
Jim Aranci
Jeffrey Arthur
Christine Aslakson
Dianne Bailey
Joseph Barsugli
William Battaglin
Curtis Bauers
Bear Creek Water and Sanitation District
Drew Beckwith
Ken Beegles
Sharla Benjamin
David Bennett
Jeff Berlin
David Berry
Mike Berry
Courtney Black
Glen Black
Frank Blaha
Josh Boissevain
Dave Bower
Jennifer Bowles
Jean Marie Boyer
Gene Bradley
Norman Brooks
Tom Brossia
Carlee Brown
Jackie Brown
Marilyn Brown
Lisa Buchanan
Rob Buirgy
Ryan Byrne
Michael Calhoun
Thomas Casadevall
Randle Case
Robert Case
Thomas Cech
Chambers Architecture
Kathy Chandler-Henry
Jennifer Charles
Jim Clare
Andrea Clark
Douglas Clark
Steve Coffin
Michael Cohen
Ted Collin
Kevin Collins
Jacquelyn Corday
Carrie Cordova
Craig Cotten
Tim Craft
Sean Cronin
Glenda DeBekker
Stephanie Dobbie
Shellie Duplan
Melissa Elliott
Cole Emmons
Robert Enzaldo
Dieter and Melanie Erdmann
Joanne Fagan
Thomas Flanagan Jr.
Peter Fleming
Jack Flowers
J. R. Ford
Kirk Foyle
Karil Frohboese
Alex Funk
Alfred Gardner
Nicole Garrimone-
Campagna
Jordan Gillen
Lorie Gillis
Rollin Goering
Melanie Goetz
Noah Greenberg
Scott Griebling
Raymond Haley
Wendy Hanophy
Paul Harms
Stephen Harris
Tom Hartnett
Polly Hays
Tanya Heikkila
Sue Helm
Carla Hendrickson
Mark and Sara
Hermundstad
Gregory Hernandez
Jeannette Hillery
Leslie Hine
Jason Hodges
Jim Hogan
Jim Hokit
Bill Holen
Michael Holleran
Hannah Holm
Kent Holsinger
Brian Hood
Barb Horn
Patrick Horn
Patricia Horoschak
Sheryl Horton
Ryan Hostetler
Sarah Houghland
Bethany Howell
Terry Huffington
Steve Hunter
Dan Huntington
James Hyre
David Inouye
Matt Isgar
Tanya Ishikawa
Julio Iturreria
Nancy Jackson
Chris Jain
Ryan Jarvis
Dawn Jewell
Diane Johnson
Erik Jorgensen
Melinda Kassen
Ray Kauffman
Gail and Kurt Keeley
Russell Kemp
Mike Kendrick
David Kienholz
Waverly Klaw
Stan Kloberdanz
John Knapp
Chris Kraft
Krage Manufacturing, LLC
Krassa and Miller, LLC
Stephen Krest
Rod Kuharich
Donna Larson
Lisa Leben
Cindy Lefever
Margaret Lenz
Mark Levorsen
David Liberman
Danna Liebert
Joe Livingston
Andrea Lopez
Jay Loschert
Jeff Lukas
Vic Makau
Steve Malers
Cheryl Manning
Jo Manternach
Kathleen Margetts
Zach Margolis
Kelsey Marshall
Kevin McBride
Bryan McCarty
Mark McCluskey
Jan McCracken
McCurry Hydrology LLC
Gerald McDaniel
Beth McDonald
Charles McKay
Parker McMullen
Bushman
Margaret Medellin
Meeker Regional Library District
Joe Meigs
Charles Minkler
Jim Mock
Robin Molliconi
April Montgomery
Amy Moyer
Ann Mullins
Madison Muxworthy
David Nelson
Katy Neusteter and Thad Kurowski
John Norton
Steve O'Dorisio
John Orr
John Ott
Wayne Pandorf
Richard Parachini
Jessica Pault-Atiase
Jack Perrin
David Peters
Stephanie Phippen
Pikes Peak Library District
Rachel Pittinger
Alicia Prescott
David Pusey
David Reinertsen
Melvin Rettig
Jane Rhodes
Gigi Richard
Brian Richter
Richelle Riley
Lee Rimel
Vicki Ripp
Marilee Rippy
Diane Roher
Donny Roush Jr.
Steven Ruddell
Kenneth Rutt
Wayne Schieldt
Jerry Schmitt
Thomas Schmugge
Don Schwindt
Alyson Scott
Keith Scoular
Jeff Sellen
Courtney Shephard
Nona Shipman
Jack Sibold
Lisa Sigler
Jim Siriano
JoAnn Slivka
Dwayne Smith
James Smith
MaryLou Smith
Jeffrey Sneddon
Patrick Stanko
Pavlos Stavropoulos
Jeff Steck
Timothy Steele
Daren Sterling
Kenneth Strom
Jensen & Annessa Stulp
Carol Sullivan
Joshua Suter
Jennifer Tanaka
Deems Taylor
Peter Taylor
Karlene Thomas
Maggie Thomas
Jessica Thrasher
Mick Todd
Milt Tokunaga
Thomas Trout
Dale Trowbridge
Molly Trujillo
Seth Turner
Wano Urbonas
Nathan Van Schaik
Wayne Vanderschuere
James VanShaar
Kathryn Venzor
John Verploegh
Rob Viehl
Sean VonRoenn
Shelley Walchak
Susan Walker
Robert Ward
Tom Waymire
Michael Weakley
David Wegner
Don West
Widefield Water and Sanitation District
John Wiener
Holly Williams
Tyson Williams
Kay Willson
Geoff Withers
Lois Witte
Richard Wojciechowski
Bob Wolff
Connie Woodhouse
$20+
Tom and Pam Acre
Orla Bannan
Rachel Bash
David Beaujon
Meredith Brown
Jonathan Callender
Rio de la Vista
Brian Devine and Melissa May
Jim Ehrlich
Catherine and Dennis
Gates
Sheila Giusti
Ellie Greene
Ch'aska Huayhuaca
Emily Hunt
Dave Kanzer
Michael Kopp
Rick Marsicek
Hannah Morvay
Josh Nims
Elizabeth Pottorff
George Sibley
Leta Smith
Emily Snode-Brenneman
John III & Lindsey Stulp
Lisa Thompson
Jacob Tucker
Davis Wert
Taylor Winchell
Karen Wogsland
Lee Campbell
Larry Morgan
Harrison Topp
OUR PEOPLE
Water Education Colorado is fortunate to have a dedicated and hard-working staff team, as well as the commitment of a volunteer board that provides guidance and support to make this work possible. We recognize them here.
BOARD
Lisa Darling President
Gregory J. Hobbs, Jr. Vice President
Perry Cabot
Nick Colglazier
Kerry Donovan
Paul Fanning
Jorge Figueroa
Dulcinea Hanuschak
Eric Hecox
Matt Heimerich
Greg Johnson
Julie Kallenberger
David LaFrance
Brian Werner Secretary
Alan Matlosz Treasurer
Dan Luecke
Kevin McBride
Karen McCormick
Amy Moyer
Peter Ortego
Lauren Ris
Don Shawcroft
Laura Spann
Chris Treese
STAFF
Jayla Poppleton, Executive Director
Jennie Geurts, Operations Director
Sami Miller, Membership and Engagement Officer
Stephanie Scott, Leadership Programs Manager
Scott Williamson, Education Programs Manager
Caitlin Coleman, Publications and Digital Resources Managing Editor
Jerd Smith, Fresh Water News Editor
Jacob Tucker, Communications and Media Intern
“ I really appreciate how Water Education Colorado takes on challenging issues and does the best it can to fairly present both sides and educate all readers.” – 2021 Supporter Survey
