Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
The Platte River and Cherry Creek flow together in Denver, Colorado.
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stablished in 1958, the Colorado Water Congress serves as the principal voice of Colorado’s water community and provides leadership on key water resource issues. The Water Congress has 350 member organizations representing diverse interests and water uses in all of Colorado’s seven major river basins. In this interview Doug Kemper, executive director of the Water Congress, speaks with Irrigation Leader about how the organization has continued operations during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
On average, we work on 40 bills that affect Colorado water law in one way or another every year. We’ve had an excellent track record over the last 40 years. Rarely does a bill we oppose pass. On the flip side, about 85 percent of bills we support become law. We also host the two largest water events in the state.
Irrigation Leader: Please tell us about your background and the Water Congress.
Doug Kemper: It’s affecting every aspect of what we do. Essentially all our members, from agricultural to municipal water users, from law firms to engineering companies, are suffering serious financial disruptions. How will they prioritize support for our organization and its mission? We haven’t as yet seen organizations drop their memberships. Certainly, every nonprofit is going to have to justify its importance to their funders if they are to continue to exist. Over the past decade, we’ve worked to diversify our sources of revenue. Major effort has gone into large events. About 40 percent of our operating capital is from net revenue from events. However, it is uncertain when large gatherings will be legally permitted, when it will be safe for members to attend, and when budgets will include training and travel. We
22 | IRRIGATION LEADER | JUNE 2020 - COVID-19 SPECIAL ISSUE
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SIMON FOOT.
Doug Kemper: I’ve been with the Water Congress for 14 years. Prior to that, I managed the planning, development, and operation of the City of Aurora’s raw water system for 20 years. Before that, I was a water resources engineer for a small consulting firm. I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and water resources. The Water Congress was created in 1958 by Governor Stephen McNichols, who provided money from his executive funds, and Attorney General Duke Dunbar, who provided the human resources to run the organization. We now have a small staff of four. We focus on the legislature.
Irrigation Leader: How has the COVID‑19 pandemic affected your operations?
