Funding Opportunities for Early June

Scenic river view on a snowy day in 11-Mile State Park, Division of Wildlife, David Hannigan, 12/10/2010

Scenic river view on a snowy day in 11-Mile State Park, Division of Wildlife, David Hannigan, 12/10/2010

The Colorado River District has announced an additional funding opportunity to support planning and implementation of irrigation efficiency improvement projects in the Lower Gunnison Project area for qualifying applicants. Applications from landowners that address identified resource concerns within the Bostwick Park, Paonia, Smith Fork, and Uncompahgre project areas will be accepted through July 21, 2017, for funding consideration.This funding opportunity is an expansion of on-going, cooperatively-managed activities made possible by the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for on-farm improvements like conversion to high efficiency systems such as pressure-piped sprinklers. Information HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Account (WSRA) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and structural and nonstructural water projects or activities. For more information click HERE.

The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) helps to connect communities to parks and natural areas by assisting local leaders in protecting special places and creating close-to-home opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors. The program works with local partners to develop and carry out a locally led process that encourages developing a common vision, creative planning, and collaborative action from all the participants. In the National Park Service's Intermountain Region, the program is supporting 41 projects in 2017, including neighborhood parks and trails, regional conservation efforts, river and water trail planning, and much more. Visit the website to find your nearest contact, learn more about the program in general, and view the application due June 30th.

Funding Sources, Financing Options, and Program Frameworks that Facilitate Implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure—This resource, developed by the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange, summarizes key funding, financing, and implementation frameworks for green stormwater infrastructure. This summary was created by participants of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange “Deep Dive” held on green stormwater infrastructure funding and financing on November 2016. Funding was provided by the Summit Foundation, Pisces Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Kresge Foundation. The resource can be viewed here.

The National Park Service works with local leaders to build partnerships, achievable plans, and community support for implementing outdoor recreation and conservation projects. Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) staff can work with you to organize and carry out a planning process that engages partners and the broader community in crafting a well-defined project vision, goals, and actionable strategies for getting things done on the ground. Their assistance is free, but they require a strong commitment from the project partners to lead the effort.  They do not provide grants or direct financial support. Please review the application process and guidelines on their website. If you are interested in assistance, please call or email the National Park Service staff member near you to discuss your idea. They strongly encourage you to consult with our staff to explore and develop your project ideas or review a draft application prior to applying. Applications are due by June 30, 2017 for assistance beginning the following fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). To apply, Download the current application and review the guidelines, both available on the RTCA application webpage. Send the completed application package via email or by U.S. mail to your National Park Service Regional Program Manager.

The National Water Quality Initiative will work in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired streams. NRCS will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces. More Details here.

National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program – The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) helps to connect communities to parks and natural areas by assisting local leaders in protecting special places and creating close-to-home opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors. The program works with local partners to develop and carry out a locally led process that encourages developing a common vision, creative planning, and collaborative action from all the participants. Due June 30. Visit the website to find your nearest contact, learn more about the program in general, and view the application.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or nongovernmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provided through the Natural Resource Conservation Service is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities. To learn more CLICK HERE.

Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Water Efficiency Grant Program provides financial assistance to communities, water providers and eligible agencies for water conservation-related activities and projects. Eligible entities as well as state and local governments and agencies can receive funding to develop water conservation and drought plans, implement water conservation goals outlined in a water conservation plan and educate the public about water conservation.
Types of Water Efficiency Grants available - Click on the Program below for more information about how to apply:

Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program announced funding available for Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). This is a competitive funding opportunity for Federally recognized Tribal governments to develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Closing Date for Applications is September 1st, 2017.  For more information go to FWS.gov.

Tamarisk Coalition has a list of riparian restoration funding opportunities maintained by the Tamarisk Coalition.  For list click restoration funding opportunities.  

Job Announcements for Early June

Native Species Hatchery, A worker at the John Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility checks on fish at the specialty hatchery, Joe Lewandowski, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 4/15/2007

Native Species Hatchery, A worker at the John Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility checks on fish at the specialty hatchery, Joe Lewandowski, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 4/15/2007

Colorado Water Trust is seeking an Executive Director with a high degree of energy, integrity and creativity as well as the analytical, organizational and personal qualities that will garner respect and cooperation from its community partners and other stakeholders. Colorado Water Trust’s mission is to restore flows to Colorado’s rivers in need. They do this by working with willing participants, providing the funds, support, and technical and legal expertise required to put water back in Colorado’s dry rivers. The ideal candidate will (among other things) bring a passion for Western water and healthy rivers, have significant leadership and management experience, and be ready to engage in fundraising. Deadline for applications is Friday, June 30, 2017. For a complete job announcement, including how to apply, please visit www.coloradowatertrust.org.

Jefferson County is currently hiring an Administration & Real Estate Manager with a strong background in annual budget development and administration of related financial planning strategies. This position will play an integral role in maintaining, administering, and coordinating the budget process of the five operating teams and three other Divisions of the Parks Department. This includes forecasting annual Open Space sales tax and all applicable revenue sources, grants program funding, capital projects and operation. Apply HERE.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado has a new opening for the role of Seasonal Project Manager. They’re looking to hire someone ASAP to help manage their 2017 volunteer outdoor stewardship project season. This is a full-time, term-limited position located in Denver, CO. The Seasonal Project Manager works with the VOC program team to provide professional project management, logistical support and volunteer leadership coordination on VOC volunteer projects administratively and in the field. To view the full description and apply, head to http://www.voc.org/join-our-team.

The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Communications Coordinator. This a full time, exempt position with benefits. The position will be based in the heart of downtown Denver at the Alliance Center.  The Communications Coordinator supports the Alliance's mission to be the hub of the sustainability movement in Colorado. The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is a non-profit focused on providing the space for organizations focused on sustainability issues to collaborate and inspire one another. To review job details and apply, visit their website.

Interested in becoming a certified Native Plant Master volunteer? As a NPM volunteer, your role is to educate others at your current job or volunteer position.  Learn more at www.conativeplantmaster.org.

The Policy and Planning Section at Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking a temporary Policy and Planning Assistant (40 hrs/week with a 9-month term) to help with a variety of high priority planning, policy, and public involvement projects. Primary duties include information and data collection and analysis; supporting public involvement, policy, and planning activities; preparing meeting materials, memos, or sections of documents related to a wide variety of state park, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and natural resource issues; and assisting with administrative tasks and other general office duties as assigned. To apply visit their website.

The Colorado River District, based in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is seeking candidates for the General Manager position. The General Manager serves as the chief executive and management official of the organization reporting directly to the District’s 15 member Board of Directors. The General Manager is responsible for all business operations (administrative, financial, technical and external affairs) and manages a team of professionals. The Manager must be able to work and negotiate with other stakeholders throughout Colorado and other Colorado River basin state. To apply go to their website.  

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is hiring for a Programs Manager. Attached you will find the job description, which includes application instructions. To learn more about their organization, please visit them at www.voc.org. Please direct all inquiries and applications to jobs@voc.org

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Resource Stewardship Program is hiring a summer Biologist/GIS Technician. This position will primarily involve preparing, coordinating, and conducting wildlife and vegetation field work including noxious weed and vegetation mapping, breeding bird surveys and raptor nest identification, and restoration/revegetation projects. Coordination of Citizen Science bird programs will be a major emphasis. The Technician will write reports on field inventories of natural resources, create maps using GIS, conduct biological research, and conduct meetings with volunteers and contractors in the office and in the field. To apply, please visit the CPW website. 

Arapahoe County Government is seeking a Client Relations Specialist in their Open Spaces Department who is responsible for coordinating and administering rentals and events that occur at the Fairgrounds Event Center and Park and other Heritage facilities such as Arapahoe County's treasure the 17 Mile House. To apply click HERE

Colorado Youth Corps Association is seeking a new Associate Director. This is an opportunity to join a statewide nonprofit that serves a vibrant, impactful community of 9 accredited conservation corps performing diverse conservation projects!  They also hold the largest AmeriCorps grant in Colorado so any relevant experience or credentials are highly-valued. Application deadline is Sunday, June 11, 2017 and preferred start date prior to July 14, 2017. Electronic Submission Only. For more information contact Nancy Weil, Office Manager, at nweil@cyca.org:

Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District is seeking a Dakota Lodge Front Desk Staff – Rentals and Meetings. Dakota Lodge is a rentable facility that hosts parties, weddings, community groups, meetings, events, and registered classes. The Visitor Center at Dakota Lodge provides the community with wildlife brochures, KCR Open Space maps and bracelets, rentals for Dakota Lodge and Bradford Fire Pit, and registrations for KCR programs. to apply click HERE.

The Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP) is hiring a new Executive Director. The Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization that improves, preserves, and promotes the natural, recreational and cultural resources of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway corridor, including priority trail connections and linking communities throughout the watershed. The SCRGP partners with Aurora, Denver, and Commerce City for the Greenway that runs for 14 miles along Sand Creek. For a job description click HERE.   

The Town of Lyons is seeking Seasonal Maintenance Workers with their Parks Department. A temporary seasonal four to five month position up to 720 hours under the direct supervision of the Departmental Lead assigned to the Director of Parks and Public Works. Will operate maintenance equipment, power tools and hand tools as assigned, may work alone or as a crew. To apply click HERE

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of San Luis Valley Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator. The position will be an employee of VOC, based on the Rio Grande National Forest in Monte Vista, CO. This position supports VOC’s efforts to continue building public land stewardship capacity through partnerships and volunteers, providing partnership management and volunteer coordination for public lands within the San Luis Valley. To review job details and apply visit their website at http://www.voc.org/join-our-team.    

Jeffco Open Space is hiring a Research & Grants Coordinator to be part of their Planning Team.The Coordinator will research and identify local, state, federal, private and non-profit grant funding opportunities in support of Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) priority projects and programs in line with the JCOS mission, vision and Master Plan goals. They will prepare grant applications and coordinate with staff on all supporting aspects including budget, timeline, schedule, maps, photos, etc. for funding opportunities while conducting grant administration in accordance with required policies and procedures of the County and funders. This position will also administer research programs and conduct general research, as required, in support of all teams within JCOS, including the preparation of reports and presentation of research to various groups as necessary. Click HERE to apply.

Trainings for Early June

Cast & Blast, Participants learn how to flyfish, Division of Wildlife, Loyse Hinkle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Cast & Blast, Participants learn how to flyfish, Division of Wildlife, Loyse Hinkle, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

JUNE 12th, 2017:  Spend a day at Shadowcliff learning how to integrate watershed topics into your existing curriculum with best practices and innovative methods for inspiring learners to understand water and rivers. Workshop will include interactive engaging activities that will get you moving indoors and out. All participants will receive a Project WET 2.0 Curriculum Guide and the new Getting Little Feet WET early childhood curriculum guide. This workshop is tailored for Pre-K - 8th grade educators, and all other interested educators and interpreters are welcome. Continuing education credit certificates included for educators; graduate credit available from Colorado School of Mines for additional fee. Click HERE to register.

JUNE 19th-23rd, 2017: Western State Colorado University is pleased to host the Summer Teacher Institute, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Learn how to incorporate rivers into your curriculum, creating relevant context and connections for your students. This five-day, field-based course includes water management, river ecology, fisheries, and geography of the Colorado River Basin. Rivers are the basis of our Colorado livelihoods and are critical to the future of their students and communities. Our natural affinity to water makes rivers and watersheds a useful and familiar context for cross-disciplinary teaching and learning. Field experiences include a Morrow Point Reservoir boat tour, Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery tour, Gunnison River ecology field day, and a visit to Coldharbour Institute. The second part of the week incorporates participation in the Colorado Water Workshop Conference engaging with water resource professionals from across Colorado. Participants must register for the Colorado Water Workshop to earn 3 ENVS credits.(All meals are included beginning Wednesday at noon; 3 credit course fee of $375; additional $40 course fee plus additional fee of $150 (50% discount) for Colorado Water Workshop. Total cost is $565.) Register Here.

JUNE 21st - 23rd, 2017: Save the Date - Western State Colorado University 42nd Annual Colorado Water Workshop - Water in the West: Rural and Urban Issue. Details to Come HERE.

JUNE 27th, 2017: Colorado Ag Water Alliance will be holding a CAWA Ag Water Tour: Denver Metro event. Take the opportunity to learn how water is used in agriculture first hand. Explore working farms and ditches. See how water is used in irrigation and what farmers are doing about conservation. Join the Colorado Ag Water Alliance on these full day tours and see a variety of speakers from local producers to the Commissioner of Agriculture. The bus tour takes you through Longmont, Fort Lupton and Brighton to see a variety of local working farms, irrigation systems and diversion ditches. For tickets to go their website.  

The Center for Watershed Protection's 2017 Webcast Series is open. Register and join them via Adobe Connect for the following sessions: 

June 21st, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 3:  Making Urban Trees Count - Register for this webcast

September 13th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 4: Stream Restoration: Where are we now? - Register for this webcast!

October 18th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 5: Bringing Better Site Design into The 21st Century - Register for this webcast!  

November 15th, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST, Webcast 6: Modeling for Water Quality - Register for this webcast

JUNE - JULY 2017Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) Water Fluency Training. Register for CFWE's professional development course to boost your water knowledge. Participants learn through site visits; in-person classroom discussions; and online materials, presented with Colorado State University's online water course. Learn more about the course, review the agenda, and register here.

AUGUST 2nd - 4th, 2017: The Park Planning and Maintenance Academy (PPMA) is a new school for park and recreation professionals, reinvented, with greater sessions focused on trends and cutting edge park maintenance practices in addition to the fundamentals of park planning. Training will be at the Radisson Hotel, Denver Southeast, 3155 S. Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80014. PPMA IS LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE. REGISTER TODAY, swprti.org/PPMA.  

SEPTEMBER 26th-27th, 2017: Setting Watershed-Scale Priorities in Riparian Restoration workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado. This workshop is being organized by the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University and hosted by the Hutchins Water Center. Decades of restoration efforts in the Colorado River basin have had varying success. They will review restoration strategies and techniques being pursued in the Colorado River basin and obtain participant feedback on restoration goals, strategies, and techniques. We will introduce decision-support tools useful to implement analytical prioritization strategies in order to refine prioritization tools that help workshop participants increase their effectiveness. Click here to register.

Conferences & Events for Early June

A Typical Angler Education Clinic, Scott Gilmore, Division of Wildlife, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1/13/2005

A Typical Angler Education Clinic, Scott Gilmore, Division of Wildlife, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 1/13/2005

JUNE 1st-2nd, 2017: Gravel Mine to Green Space: A Workshop on Community-Directed Approaches to Mining Reclamation and River Restoration in Paonia, Colorado. At this workshop, attendees will tour the river park, learn about the technical aspects of restoration, social impacts of the park, discuss WSCC’s successes and lessons learned, explore creative funding techniques, network with fellow practitioners and community leaders from mining regions, and leave with an overall sense of what it means to undergo a community-directed reclamation project. Stay for their 17th annual Float Fest on June 3rd and tour the improvements along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. For more details, click HERE.   

JUNE 2nd-4th, 2017: The annual Yampa River Festival, held each spring, is the premier opportunity to show your respect while enjoying spring flows. The Yampa river flows through 270 miles of northwest Colorado before joining the Green River in Dinosaur National Park. With only a few small reservoirs in it’s upper stretches, the Yampa River flows mostly unimpeded, with torrents of cold snowmelt each spring. The free-flowing nature of the Yampa River is unique among the Colorado River system that is otherwise controlled, managed and tapped to it’s limit.

JUNE 3rd-4th, 2017: 2017 Colorado Native Plant Society (CoNPS) Western Slope Festival. Join fellow plant enthusiasts in Gunnison on the first weekend of June to learn about Western Slope native plant conservation issues and see them in person during several guided hikes. Their keynote presenter is Tyler Johnson, Regional Botanist for the US Forest Service. Visit the CoNPS Bookstore at breaks. Hikes will begin at 2:30 pm and will focus on the plant communities in the Gunnison area. That evening an optional BBQ gathering will be held at a nearby park pavilion. On Sunday morning another round of hikes - some repeated from Saturday and some new - will be available to choose from. Registration is at: western-slope-festival

JUNE 8th-9th, 2017: 38th Annual Martz Summer Conference - Fighting Back on the Colorado River: Carving Out Progress on Multiple Fronts. This conference will be held at the University of Colorado School of Law Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom. In this public event, they review recent and emerging innovations and evaluate their likely impact on the river system. Information, event agenda, and registration available here, Martz Summer Conference.

JUNE 10th, 2017: 10th Annual National Get Outdoors Day. Join outdoor agencies at the north shore of Sloan’s Lake, Denver, Colorado from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This event is free for kids and their families. Their goal is to foster and facilitate an educational experience and to encourage participants of all skill levels to interact with the outdoors. They'll be hosting fishing classes for youth, paddling activities, live music, climbing, bike riding, and much more. Each year, the event draws roughly 5,000 families excited to learn more about the outdoors and healthy living. In 2008, the United States Forest Service and American Recreation Coalition partnered together to launch a day to celebrate the outdoors and health. As a result, National Get Outdoors Day was born and continues to be held in more than 120 cities throughout the country. The Denver event is recognized as the flagship event. For more information, visit: www.getoutdoorscolorado.org 

JUNE 13th- 14th, 2017: Join the Colorado Foundation for Water Education for the Southwest Basin Tour, hosted in Colorado's beautiful San Juan mountains. Tour attendees will visit sites up and down the San Miguel River, from Telluride to the confluence with the Dolores River, and along a stretch of the Dolores hearing from local water managers, city officials, conservation groups and business leaders about water management, economic development and collaborative restoration projects. Share a unique educational experience with other tour participants, which will include members of the Colorado legislative interim Water Resources Review Committee, and get an in-depth look at how the Southwest Basin Implementation Plan is being put into action. Registration includes lunch both days and dinner on the first day. Take a look at the draft agenda here. To register click HERE.

Mountain Park Environmental Center (MPEC) Summer Camps provide children with days filled with Nature fun and life-long memories. They have several new camps planned for this summer. Transportation from Pueblo is included in MPEC camps, and they have a scholarship program that can help those who need financial assistance. Camp descriptions, prices, and other details can be found BY CLICKING HERE, including applying for a scholarship and registering. Please do not wait to register, as many camps fill up.

JUNE 12th - 16th, 2017: Cubs Camp (Entering K-1st Grade)

JUNE 19th - 23rd, 2017: Nature Explorers (Entering 2nd-3rd Grade)

JUNE 20th - 22nd, 2017: Mission Wolf (Entering 6th-8th Grade)

June 26th - 30th, 2017: Intrepid Adventurers (Entering 4th-5th Grade)

JUNE 27th - 29th, 2017: NEW Water and Rock Camp (Entering 6th-8th Grade)

Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom presents Food, Fiber & More. This is a five day course designed for teachers who have little or no agriculture background. You can receive 3 continuing credits from CSU. Institute cost: $250 (scholarships available to pre-registered educators). Sign up today to reserve space and to apply for a scholarship for 2017 Food, Fiber &  More, AITC Summer Institute. Register at www.growingyourfuture.com. You can choose to attend:

  • JUNE 12th-16th - RIFLE, CO
  • JUNE 19th-23rd - FORT COLLINS, CO 
  • JUNE 26th-30th - DENVER, CO

JUNE 13th - 15th, 2017: Changing Lands, Changing Hands Conference at the DoubleTree Stapleton North, Denver, CO. Land access, agricultural land tenure and farm succession are priority challenges for US agriculture. USDA and groups across the country are addressing these issues with research, policies, programming and professional development. In cooperation with USDA, Land For Good will host this national conference. More information and registration can be found at landforgood.org.

JUNE 14th, 2017: Colorado Water Trust's 9th Annual River Bank Fundraiser from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Join them for a beautiful evening in support of Colorado's rivers. Activities will include a silent auction with river trips, stay-cation packages, outdoor gear, and many other exciting items to bid on along with a presentation of The David Getches Flowing Waters Award. Click HERE for more details.

JUNE 18th, 2017: On June 17, 2017, Runoff Runoff committee is partnering with the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee, a project of the Headwaters Alliance, to host the Runoff Runoff: Run along the Rio Grande! This event boasts a marathon, half-marathon and 6K! The purpose of the Runoff Runoff is to educate and engage the public in local watershed issues. This annual event is their main fundraiser and helps organize river restoration, diversion replacement and community river projects. For more information or to register, go to their website.

JUNE 19th, 2017: Join the Colorado Ag Water Alliance on a full day tour and see a variety of speakers from local producers to the Commissioner of Agriculture. Explore working farms and ditches. See how water is used in irrigation and what farmers are doing about conservation. This event will be at Colorado Corn Office 127 22nd St. Greeley, CO 80631 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. For more information click HERE.

JUNE 24th, 2017: 10th Annual Celebration of the Uncompahgre River. This year has been planned for another great festival with some special additions to commemorate its 10th year. Join for a full day of fun, and consider competing individually or with a team of friends in the hardshell kayak, inflatables, standup paddle board or Junk of the Unc races. You can sign up to volunteer for three hours Contact Tanya at 303-819-7784 or ridgwayriverfest@gmail.com.

JUNE 27th, 2017: Join the Colorado Ag Water Alliance on this full day tour and see a variety of speakers from local producers to the Commissioner of Agriculture. Explore working farms and ditches. See how water is used in irrigation and what farmers are doing about conservation. The bus tour takes you through Longmont, Fort Lupton and Brighton to see a variety of local working farms, irrigation systems and diversion ditches. the location will at Boulder County Fairgrounds 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Go to their website to register.

AUGUST 20th, 2017: Colorado Headwaters Land Trust Annual Event. Join them at the B Lazy 2 Ranch in Fraser, Colorado from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm for a fun family-friendly celebration and fundraiser. Yard games will be available for kids and adults! Dinner will be a Buffet by Stone Creek Catering (vegetarian and gluten free options, includes 2 drinks) followed by a cash bar. Paddle Raiser. Live Auction. Silent Auction. Dinner. Games. And More! Register HERE

AUGUST 26th, 2017: Join Tamarisk Coalition and local river experts for Raft the River, a fun, educational float trip and dinner along the Colorado River in Fruita, Colorado from 1pm~6:30pm.  This year will have a new floating stretch of river compared to previous years from Rimrock Adventures to the Loma Boat Ramp. This one-day float trip, guided by Rimrock Adventures, will provide you with a “behind the scenes” look at the work being done to rejuvenate the treasured riparian (riverside) area in the Grand Valley.  Register HERE.  

SEPTEMBER 26th-27th: Setting Watershed-Scale Priorities in Riparian Restoration, September 26-27, CMU University Center, Grand Junction, CO. This workshop is being organized by the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University and hosted by the Hutchins Water Center.  The goal of this workshop is to describe tools and strategies that agencies and organizations can use in deciding where to work, what to do, and how to establish appropriate and achievable goals in riparian rehabilitation and restoration. For more information or to register click HERE.

OCTOBER 3rd-4th, 2017: The EPA Region 8 is hosting a Wetlands Conference to convene federal, state, tribal, and local representatives and NGOs to share information and best practices related to wetlands management. The 2017 conference in Boulder, Colorado will include sessions on stream and wetland restoration; mitigation; monitoring and assessment/mapping; and federal, state, and local level aquatic resource protection. The conference will allow stakeholders to discuss opportunities, hurdles, strategies, and potential solutions associated with protecting aquatic resources in Region 8. The event will facilitate networking, peer-to-peer learning, and collective problem-solving on specific issues, and allow regulators to share updates and learn from stakeholders View the conference webpage here and register here.

OCTOBER 10th - 12th, 2017: Save the Date - 2017 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference at the Westin Riverfront Resort, Avon, CO. This highly popular event expands cooperation and collaboration throughout our state for natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement by informing citizen groups, agencies, consultants, and legislators about current issues and through networking opportunities. In 2017, the conference will focus on “Coming Together – the Confluence of Science and Society.”

Announcements for Early June

Westward view of Clear Creek Reservoir, Jacob S. Mohrmann, Colorado Mountain College - Leadville. Public domain, June 8, 2016,  US

Westward view of Clear Creek Reservoir, Jacob S. Mohrmann, Colorado Mountain College - Leadville. Public domain, June 8, 2016,  US

EPA  Administrator Scott Pruitt  signed a proposed rule to postpone compliance dates for the effluent limitations guidelines and standards for steam electric power plants (ELG Rule), which was published in November 2015.  Specifically, EPA proposes to postpone the compliance dates for the more stringent best available technology economically achievable (“BAT”) requirements in the 2015 rule for each of the following wastestreams: fly ash transport water, bottom ash transport water, flue gas desulfurization (“FGD”) wastewater, flue gas mercury control wastewater, and gasification wastewater. Last month EPA determined that two administrative petitions asking the agency to reconsider the 2015 ELG Rule raised issues sufficient to warrant reconsideration of the rule. EPA is requesting a 30-day comment period that will begin upon publication in the Federal Register at: www.regulations.gov. EPA is posting a pre-publication copy at: www.epa.govLearn More.  

Harvesting the Value of Water: Stormwater, Green Infrastructure, and Real Estate—This Urban Land Institute (ULI) report brings together an analysis of the stormwater policy landscape and an introduction to a variety of real estate development projects that have responded to them. After outlining the reasons that stormwater management is important to cities, this report introduces a series of real estate case studies and a range of types of stormwater policies. The report can be viewed here.

Ever been curious about what happens to a forest after a wildfire? Come explore the site of the 2002 Hayman fire, the largest recorded fire in Colorado history. See firsthand the surprising state of recovery as well as consequences on native plants, watershed conditions and ecology. Your guide will be Milt Robinson, formerly with the U. S. Forest Service and Denver University.  Saturday, June 24th, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  To learn more and to register, go to:  https://npm.eventbrite.com.

Connecting the Drops: On Air Testing for Lead in Schools. Lead contamination Flint, Michigan's drinking water raised national awareness that water can corrode pipes and carry dangerous amounts of lead. The failures in Flint may result in stronger rules nationwide for monitoring home drinking water—but schools aren't part of these public tests. That's why Colorado legislators proposed a bill, which passed on May 10, the last day of the legislative session, to help more Colorado schools pay for testing lead in their drinking water. Meanwhile, some Colorado schools have taken on the cost themselves. Listen to the latest on Connecting the Drops.

The Colorado River District is holding State of the River Meetings. Each spring, during snowmelt runoff, the River District organizes informational “State of the River” meetings across parts of the Western Slope of Colorado to help educate the public and water users. Meeting speakers offer up-to-date information on snowpack figures, water supply forecasts and anticipated stream flows and upcoming conditions. To see the list of 2017 State of the River Public Meetings, visit their website

 SAVE THE DATE for our next Watershed Wildfire Protection Group meeting on Friday, July 7th, 2017 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm MDT at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Administration Building; Bighorn Room @ 6060 Broadway in Denver. A tentative agenda for the meeting will be available by mid-June. Please also feel free to contact them in the meantime with any concerns, ideas, questions, or suggested agenda items for upcoming meetings, etc. Richard M. Edwards, CF at (970) 491-8036 or Rich.Edwards@colostate.edu.

The Hermit's Peak Water Alliance will be holding the 5th annual Gallinas River Clean Up on Saturday, June 3rd. Sign-up is free while you have fun walking and running and helping clean the river. Trash bags and gloves will be provided and snacks and coffee will be provided. Running tips and warm ups at 8:30 am, fun run at 9:00 am, and river clean up at 9:30 am to 12:00 pm.  For more information contact Katie at 426-7505.

Adopt-A-Park Cleanup: Calling for a few volunteers on Sat., June 3, 2017 @ 8:30 a.m. to Noon @ Rollans Park, Ridgway. Join UWP to clean up Rollans Park. Everyone of all ages (as long as parents accompany children) is welcome to help pick up trash and fallen branches, and get the park into shape for its summer visitors. Snacks and drinking water are provided– you bring some work gloves and sunscreen. To register and for more information, go to the Park Cleanup web page.

In 2017, MSI will continue an Animas River water quality monitoring program at Rotary Park in Durango, CO, that began in 2015 during the Gold King Mine release. The monitoring program is part of a partnership between MSI and the City of Durango to provide the public with an independent assessment of Animas River water quality during the May to August timeframe when river recreation is at its peak. Thier goal is to get water quality results to the public as quickly as possible. They plan to expedite laboratory analysis and communicate results to the public through MSI’s website and social media,” said Scott Roberts, MSI aquatic ecologist. Latest results can be found at www.mountainstudies.org/AnimasRiver.