Funding Opportunities Late April

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a funding opportunity for small-scale water efficiency projects as part of the WaterSMART Program. The projects funded with these grants include installation of flow measurement devices and automation technology, canal lining or piping to address seepage, municipal meter upgrades, and other projects to conserve water. Funding of up to $75,000 is available per project and total project construction costs should be no more than $200,000. Recipients must also provide at least a 50-percent non-Federal cost share. Applications for this funding opportunity are due April 24, 2019. Access this opportunity HERE and search BOR-DO-19-F005.

Water Conservation Services Program in the Lower Colorado Region offers funding of up to $100,000, available to projects that increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Proposals will be accepted, evaluated, and selected on a rolling-basis until the final application submission deadlines: April 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. MST and September 30, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. MST. Access this opportunity HERE and search BOR-LC-19-F002.

The Network for Landscape Conservation (NLC) is pleased to request proposals for the first annual funding cycle of the Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund. Read the Program Description and General Request for Proposals HERE. A portion of the Fund is dedicated to Indigenous-led landscape conservation partnerships that primarily serve Indigenous communities. Read the Indigenous Community Request for Proposals HERE. Two informational webinars are scheduled for Friday, March 22nd and Thursday, March 28th at 12:00 p.m. MST. These webinars will offer a brief overview of the two Catalyst Fund RFPs, but will be primarily dedicated to responding to your questions. Pre-proposals are due by 7:00 p.m. MST on Friday, April 26th. Additional information and a link to the application portal can be found on the Catalyst Fund page of the Network's website HERE.

The Maki Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that promote environmental protection in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. In particular, the Foundation is concerned with the preservation of the Rocky Mountain West’s remaining wild lands, rivers, and wilderness, as well as the wildlife that depends on these lands. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are generally provided to small local and regional grassroots organizations working to protect public lands and rivers from threats such as mineral development, unconstrained off-road vehicle use, and poorly planned water projects. The application deadline is May 1, 2019. (Organizations that have not previously received Foundation support should contact the Foundation by phone or email prior to applying.) Visit the Foundation’s website HERE to learn more about their priorities.

Apply for the Partners in the Outdoors Grant. The Partners in the Outdoors Conference is a platform for networking and collaboration to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. To support this goal, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides grant funds to assist partner efforts that advance the priority areas identified in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Grant applications can be submitted for funding requests between $1,000 and $5,000. The application deadline is May 3rd, 2019. Find the application HERE.

CHEJ Small Grants. CHEJ has a Small Grants Program for grassroots groups working on environmental health and justice issues. Grassroots communities of color, low wealth, rural and urban groups are encouraged to apply. This grant program will support projects that help groups move toward their goals by building leadership, increasing capacity and/or providing training and education. A priority of CHEJ’s Small Grants Program is to help grassroots community groups to build their capacity. The program is designed to especially reach people from low wealth communities and communities of color who are impacted by environmental harms. Proposals are due May 6, 2019 and the project must be completed and a final report submitted by February 15, 2020. The grant application is different for different sized organizations:

  • Small organizations and all volunteer groups with budgets under $50,000 should click HERE for an application. Grants are available in this tier range from $1,000 to $5,000.

  • For organizations with budgets no greater than $250,000 click HERE for an application. This tier of the program will provide support from $5,000 to $10,000.

The Town of Telluride is pleased to announce Telluride Green Grants, an exciting new grant program that supports local residents and businesses alike in reducing their carbon footprint. Funded by the Town of Telluride and administered by EcoAction Partners, Telluride Green Grants is available for non-profit, commercial, and residential capital projects that deliver measurable greenhouse gas reduction for the Town of Telluride. Suggested project application ideas include: net-zero building construction, existing building insulation and weatherization actions, boiler and furnace replacements, renewable energy installations, waste reduction projects, and transportation-related fuel reduction efforts.  Other creative projects are encouraged to apply! Grants of $500 to $40,000 are available and applications are due by May 17th, 2019. Get more information HERE.

Great Outdoors Colorado offers Conservation Excellence Grants. Applications are due May 30th, 2019. Conservation Excellence grants foster exploration of pressing needs in today’s conservation community, including engaging local communities to support land conservation, the stewardship of orphaned conservation easements, collaboration among land trusts, and more. Find this funding opportunity HERE and see their full grant calendar HERE.

The 2020 Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund eligibility survey process will open on May 1st, 2019 with a submittal deadline of June 30th, 2019. Surveys will be completed and submitted through the Colorado Environmental Online Services (CEOS) system.

Get Your 2019 Project Funded. Are you planning, designing, or implementing on-the-ground restoration projects that will restore river flows and/or recharge ground water? Would you like the opportunity to share your projects with businesses who may be interested in providing support for your projects? If the answer is “Yes!” be sure to check out the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank, a new opportunity for paid members of River Network to use a national platform to attract funding.

US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Full details, including requirements and registration, can be found HERE. 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Planning Design and Engineering Grants. These grants provide money to small communities to help cover costs associated with the State Revolving Fund pre-application requirements. Grants require a 20 percent match from the applicant. Planning grant applicants must complete the prequalification form and attend a pre-application meeting. Design and engineering grant applicants will be considered by project needs assessment submissions by approved disadvantaged communities. For more information CLICK HERE.

Colorado's Water Plan Grant Opportunities: The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. All applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular CWP Measurable Objective category. The Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the CWP’s Measurable Objectives or critical actions. The CWCB staff reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to modify the scope and budget of their project to better meet the CWP objectives in light of fund availability. CWCB staff will evaluate applications and recommend projects to the CWCB Board for final approval at its regularly scheduled Board meetings. Learn more HERE.

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.

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.

What type of Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants are available?

Basin Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Basin Account to ensure the Threshold Criteria are met.

Statewide Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable on a competitive basis. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Statewide Account to ensure each application meets the Threshold Criteria in addition to being evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria.

For more information 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 programs below for more information about each and how to apply:

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

The Dianne Hoppe Scholarship- The Colorado Water Conservation Board is pleased to administer a $2,000 one-year scholarship for a Colorado high school student interested in western water issues planning to attend a public institution of higher education in Colorado. Students who will be graduating from high school in the spring of 2019 and are planning to attend a trade school, technical school, community college, or a four-year accredited college in the United States are eligible to apply. For more information, or to apply, click HERE.


Conferences & Events Late April

APRIL 19th, 2019: 2019 AWRA-CGWA Annual Symposium: Colorado Water Stories – Learning from our past, reimagining our future at the Mount Vernon Canyon Country Club, 24933 Club House Circle, Golden, CO 80401 from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This year's conference will cover a range of topics from both a technical and policy perspective, including a deep-drill into ASR, geophysical applications, and how Coloradans are reimagining the river. For more details, check out THIS LINK.

APRIL 20th, 2019: Family Spring Stewardship Day, Johnson Habitat Park, Denver, CO. 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Each Family Stewardship Day starts with an hour-long volunteer project, followed by games and crafts with our South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) staff! This event is free and breakfast is provided, but prior registration is required. Register HERE.

APRIL 24th-25th, 2019: Arkansas River Basin Water Forum 25th Anniversary. As one of the most important natural resources in our state, the water future of the Arkansas River Basin depends on education, dialog, and a deeper understanding of all sides of water issues. The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum has been at the forefront of this conversation for 25 years. Please join over 200 attendees in Pueblo on April 24 - 25, 2019 to celebrate our 25th anniversary as we continue to work together to find common ground. REGISTER today!

APRIL 24th, 2019: An Evening with Jonathan Thompson, author of 
River of Lost Souls 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | CMU University Center. This event will be free and open to the public, with a reception (complimentary beverages provided by Palisade Brewing) followed by a slideshow and talk. RSVP HERE!

APRIL 24th-26th, 2019: 2019 Partners in the Outdoors Conference. Be a part of the solution as we shift from Planning to Action. Based on the Colorado Outdoor Principles and after months of collaborative work across the state from hundreds of partners, stakeholders and citizens, Colorado has drafted one of the finest Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) in the nation. The Partners in the Outdoors Conference is SOLD OUT. A limited number of "Friday Only" registrations are available. Find registration information HERE. Please contact Carley Engfer at dnr_cpwpartners@state.co.us to register as an exhibitor.

APRIL 25th, 2019: Wetland and Riparian Resources in the San Luis Valley: Declining Resources, Impacts to Wildlife and Recommendations for the Future at 6:00 p.m. Wetland Dynamics biologists Cary Aloia and Jenny Nehring will present the findings of the newly completed San Luis Valley Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Assessment. For more information, click HERE.

APRIL 25th-28th, 2019: 5Point Adventure Film Festival in Carbondale, CO. CORE is a proud community sponsor! Learn all about the 5Point Adventure Film Festival HERE.

APRIL 26th, 2019: Proposals are due for the 2019 Colorado Open Spaces (COSA) Conference, which is themed “Past Reflections, Future Destinations - Celebrating 20 Years”. This year’s conference will be held September 16-18, 2019 at the Steamboat Grand Hotel,  in Steamboat Springs. Discover more session topics and submit proposals HERE.

APRIL 27th, 2019: Fryingpan River Cleanup at 8:30 a.m. in Lyons Park, Basalt, CO
Help clean up one of the most beautiful stretches of river in the country! Volunteers of all ages welcome! Join us for a free breakfast before cleaning up a 1-mile section of the river. Prizes for: Best of Trash, Most Toxic, Most Useful, Most Unusual Trash, and Best Photo. Event Details | Register

Early Bird Discounts for the San Juan Mining & Reclamation Conference Sponsors. Currently, the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership is seeking sponsors and exhibitors to sign up to financially support the event and get many promotional benefits. The Early Bird Deadline to get a 10% discount on sponsorship packages is April 30th. Learn more and download the Sponsorship sheet. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 24-26, 2019, in Silverton, and will be combined with the Innovation Expo. For all conference/expo information, go HERE.

MAY 3rd, 2019:  President’s Reception from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm at Balistreri Vineyards. Join Water Education Colorado for our annual awards dinner and fundraiser. Enjoy a sit-down dinner and fun-filled evening in celebration of water education and leadership. For more information, click HERE.

MAY 3rd-5th, 2019:  Birding on the Colorado River. Journey down Ruby-Horsethief Canyon on the Colorado River for a 3-day rafting and camping trip and discover the amazing avian diversity along the way. This fully outfitted adventure is a three-day/two-night river trip with an overnight at Colorado Canyons Association Catalpa Camp and includes a freshly prepared dinner, local wines, and fireside stories about area. Some hiking and light paddling. For more information, head HERE.

MAY 9th, 2019: Party on the Poudre. Colorado Water Trust is throwing a barn burning fundraiser on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River! Local resident, Craig Harrison, is generously opening up his barn at H Lazy T Bar Ranch to invite you to a Party on the Poudre! Join them for an evening of drinks, appetizers, and discussions about Colorado’s water challenges as well as solutions to protect our rivers and the communities around them. Colorado Water Trust's innovative thinking is coming to the Fort Collins area, as they build a coalition of partners to help put water back in stressed reaches of the Cache la Poudre River. They believe that our water challenges in Colorado are fixable by working within the current system and all Coloradans are needed to get engaged. For more information and registration, click HERE.

MAY 9th, 2019: Boulder Social with Institute for Environmental Solutions and Ocean First Institute. The Ocean First Dive Shop in Boulder will host the IES Chemical Footprint Project team for an evening social. IES is partnering with their sister nonprofit, Ocean First Institute, to present a workshop on Reducing Your Chemical Footprint. It will be a great opportunity for the local Boulder and diving communities to connect with both organizations. IES will demonstrate how trace concentrations of toxic chemicals in personal care and household products affect you and your environment, how to avoid them, and how simple it is to reduce your footprint. Everyone will get a chance to make their own safe products to take home: all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, and hand sanitizer. Make a commitment to reduce chemical footprints on your own terms and take home recipes and safe DIY products to share. Shrinking your chemical footprint is easy, healthy, and proactive, all in one hour. For details email Helen McGrath, Helen@i4es.org.

MAY 11th, 2019: Art on the River at Confluence Park from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Art on the River is a chance for families to explore the different ways art can be inspired by nature. There will be nature-based art stations set up throughout the park and interactive ways to explore the South Platte River. This event is FREE to attend, and lunch is provided! Prior registration is required to ensure we purchase enough craft supplies and lunch! Register HERE.

MAY 15th, 2019: The Denver Metro Water Festival at Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood Campus. Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions. All volunteers receive a festival t-shirt, lunch and the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for water with 6th grade students from across the Denver Metro area. Learn more HERE.

MAY 29th-31st, 2019:  Western Water Future Games in Gunnison Colorado, presented by The Colorado Water Workshop. The Western Water Future Games includes three intensive days of brainstorming and collaborating over evolving water issues in serious need of new thinking and new ideas. There will also be campfires, music and food. Head HERE for more information.

JUNE 6th-7th, 2019: 40th Annual GWC Summer Conference. This year, the conference is titled, Charting a Better Course for the Colorado River: Identifying the Data and Concepts to Shape the Interim Guidelines Renegotiation. You can find the Conference Agenda HERE and the Registration HERE.

JUNE 8th – 11th, 2019: San Juan River Trip. Glen Canyon Institute (GCI) is proud to partner with Holiday River Expeditions for a special trip down the San Juan River to benefit Glen Canyon Institute. This four-day expedition into the Lower stretch of the San Juan River finishes at Clay Hills—above its confluence with the Colorado River—offering some of the most scenic beauty in the entire Colorado Plateau as well as a firsthand glimpse at the San Juan’s restoration as it enters Glen Canyon. Register HERE.

JUNE 12th – 14th, 2019: Western Slope Rural Philanthropy Days | North Fork Valley, Colorado
This opportunity only occurs once every four years in the Western Slope region, so mark your calendars for the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with funders, participate in professional development opportunities and network with other community leaders in the region. Western Slope RPD serves Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin counties. Register now HERE.

  • Grantseekers: $150 Early Bird (March 25 – April 21) | $175 Regular Price (April 21 – June 2)

  • Thursday Only: $100 Regular Price (March 25 – June 2)

  • Grantmakers: $195 Regular Price (March 25 – June 2)

  • Scholarships: to cover half of the registration fee (received by April 21)

JUNE 17th-18th, 2019:  South Platte River Basin Tour with Water Education Colorado. Come see this hard-working prairie river up close and meet the people striving toward a water future for the local economies and habitats in Colorado’s northeastern corner. Tour topics will include the South Platte Basin Implementation Plan progress and priorities, Republican River Compact compliance, collaborative water storage and exchanges to meet an anticipated supply gap, alternative water transfers (ATM) benefiting multiple stakeholders, agricultural economy of the Eastern Plains, energy development, water quality, partnerships for endangered species recovery, and much much more. For more information, click HERE.

JUNE 18th-20th, 2019: The 4th Rocky Mountain Stream Restoration Conference will provide an opportunity for professionals to share ideas and lessons learned in stream restoration assessment, planning, design, construction, and evaluation, as well as other topical stream issues. The conference will explore stream restoration challenges and solutions, with a focus on the Intermountain West. For the agenda click HERE.

JUNE 24th-26th, 2019: Great Plains Low Impact Development (LID) Research & Innovation Symposium, hosted by Colorado Stormwater Center at Colorado State University. This 3-day symposium is organized to provide stormwater practitioners in the great plains region the tools and information necessary to successfully use low impact development (LID).  Many conferences on this topic are geared toward the West and East coast implementation of LID, but this conference focuses on how to use LID in the middle of the country including all of challenges and barriers. For more information, check out the website HERE.

JUNE 29th, 2019: 12th Annual Ridgway RiverFest. Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership is excited to bring another family-friendly, lively community festival to you at Rollans Park in Ridgway. With no admission fee for festival goers, this event would not be possible without donations from sponsors. UWP is now seeking sponsorships from $100 to $2,500. To find out more, please go to their RiverFest Sponsor Resources webpage, or email Tanya at ridgwayriverfest@gmail.com.

AUGUST 6th-7th, 2019: Join Denver’s Public Works and Denver Water on a two-day tour of Denver’s watershed to explore how water moves from source to faucet and storm drain. The Denver Watershed Tour is designed for classroom and informal educators to learn more about how water gets to and moves through our communities. Throughout the tour, participants will engage in interdisciplinary activities to bring back to the classroom. For more information, click HERE.

OCTOBER 8th - 10th, 2019: 2019 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference "The Human Element" at the Westin Riverfront Resort, Avon, CO. The 2019 conference will explore the influence of The Human Element on water and watersheds in Colorado and the West. Our growing human presence and resulting impacts on watersheds is undeniable. At the same time, our human experiences and social/emotional connections to watersheds are integral components to be considered in the work to preserve, protect and restore our watersheds. Together we will delve into our impacts and connections. We will look for ways our influence can be fostered and mitigated to avoid loving our home to death. Early Bird registration begins in July. For more information visit our SCW CONFERENCE webpage.

Trainings & Workshops Late April

APRIL 18th, 2019: Delta Conservation District Water Law Workshop at Bill Heddles Recreation Center from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Discuss water conservation and law with keynote speakers Lain Leoniak, Assistant Attorney General Federal & Interstate Water Unit Colorado Department of Law and Luke Reschke Lead North Fork Water Commissioner District 40. Coffee and pie will be served. Please RSVP to deltaconservationd@gmail.com or call 970.399.8194.

APRIL 22nd & 23rd, 2019: Collective Impact 101: Coming Together to Address Complex Issues
APRIL 22nd in Gunnison, CO | April 23rd, 2019 in Ridgway, CO
We know that to address multifaceted issues – hunger, public lands management, education, managing an arts district – we need to work together. “Collective Impact” goes beyond “Collaboration,” providing a way for producing extraordinary results, together.  This workshop with San Juan Rural Philanthropy Days will provide interactive learning to explore what collective impact is, its foundational components, and how it can be applied in your community. Register now HERE.

APRIL 23rd, 2019, 11am-12pm: Webinar - Water Meter Replacement through Performance Contracting with Colorado WaterWise. Water meter replacement projects can be done when meters age or proactively to improve water meter accuracy, water use data, water leak detection, and even increase utility revenue when under-reading meters are replaced.  Performance contracting is one way to implement and finance the costs of this work; water utilities can hire companies (i.e. energy service companies, or ESCOs) to do the work of replacing water meters, and these companies will guarantee the performance of the new meters installed.  While many of these projects have happened around the country, only recently have utilities been able to do so in Colorado. Join this webinar to learn more about performance contracting and water meter replacement projects, as well as a case study example. REGISTER today!

APRIL 23rd, 2019: TECH WEBINAR - Water Plan Analysis, Agriculture by Colorado Water Conservation Board. 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Register HERE. The Colorado Water Plan Analysis (formerly, SWSI) serves as the technical backbone to the Water Plan. Leading up to the study's full release in July 2019, select data insights and tools will be released gradually for early stakeholder review. Check in HERE for general information on the project. See all monthly technical webinars HERE.

APRIL 25th, 2019: Request for Water Process Webinar. 1:00 p.m. Colorado Water Trust has opened up the second year of Request for Water Process with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). The Request for Water Process streamlines and enhances an existing CWCB program that provides benefits to water right owners for using their water rights to help keep rivers and watersheds healthy. Access the website for details and resources to answer your questions HERE, and register HERE.

APRIL 27th, 2019: Small Acreage Spring Workshop. This event is for anyone interested in topics ranging from wildfire mitigation and living with wildlife to pollinators and learning to identify common native and weedy plant species! 9:00 a.m. classroom session on the Trinidad State Junior College campus and an outdoor tour and educational skills training at a local landowner’s field site. This workshop is free and includes a free lunch. This event is a collaborative educational event being brought to you by a host of organizations including Natural Resource Conservation Service, Las Animas County CSU Extension, Spanish Peaks-Purgatoire River Conservation District, Purgatoire Watershed Partnership, Purgatoire Watershed Weed Management Collaborative, and CSU Small Acreage Management Program. Click HERE to register.

APRIL 27th-28th, 2019: Spring Trail Skills, Beulah, CO
Get ready for the stewardship season and brush up on your trail skills with the best of the best! You'll work with some of VOC's most highly trained and experienced instructors and Crew Leaders to practice and fine-tune everything from trail construction to rock work and drainage structures. Campsites are provided. Register now.

APRIL 30th, 2019: Conquering Your Data Management Monster: Best-practices and tools for every skill-level and every budget, 11:00-12:30 MST
Data management doesn’t have to be complicated and scary. This webinar will walk participants through best practices, key elements, and helpful tools that will ensure data is structured, machine-readable, and interoperable for many different use cases. This webinar is targeted at a wide audience from novices to data experts working to ensure their data enterprise can immediately be leveraged for creating actionable information. Register HERE.

MAY 1st, 2019: EPA’s Water Quality Modeling Workgroup - “Data Needs for Modeling” 11:00 a.m. MST. The purpose of the webinar is to discuss data needs for hydrodynamic, watershed, and water quality models. The webinar will present how and where to obtain data from various sources. Registration is required and is now available HERE. This series of webinars to help water quality professionals better understand surface water quality modeling and how models can be used to solve common problems that face water quality regulators. The webinars are focused on modeling as it applies to the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), Standards, and Water Quality Permitting Programs, but they are applicable to a wide range of audiences. Previous webinars are available HERE.

MAY 11th-12th, 2019: Crew Leadership for Trails Training with OSI, VOC. Buena Vista
Learn the fundamentals of crew leadership and sustainable trail methods! All trainees will receive a Crew Leader manual and a set of quick reference cards to take home and immediately apply to outdoor stewardship projects. Campsites are provided. Register now.

MAY 21st, 2019: TECH WEBINAR - Water Plan Analysis, Environment & Recreation by Colorado Water Conservation Board. 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Register HERE. The Colorado Water Plan Analysis (formerly, SWSI) serves as the technical backbone to the Water Plan. Leading up to the study's full release in July 2019, select data insights and tools will be released gradually for early stakeholder review. Check in HERE for general information on the project. See all monthly technical webinars HERE.

JUNE 10th-14th, 2019: Western Rivers Teacher Workshop,Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, Colorado. Utilize western rivers to meet interdisciplinary academic standards creating relevant place based context for your students. Registration opens February 2019 through the Extended Studies program.

JUNE 15th-16th, 2019: Crew Leadership for Trails Training with OSI, VOC. Golden
Learn the fundamentals of crew leadership and sustainable trail methods! All trainees will receive a Crew Leader manual and a set of quick reference cards to take home and immediately apply to outdoor stewardship projects. Campsites are provided. Register now.

Online Courses Available Through Colorado Rural Water Association. Industry studies have shown employee-training budgets for most water and wastewater utilities are tighter than ever. Web-based operator certification and license renewal training provides employers and their employees the flexibility of taking training courses at their own pace without the hassle and cost of attending live classes. Check them out HERE.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is offering a Water Studies Online Certificate to provide training and skills relevant to careers in water studies, conservation, agriculture, construction, engineering, and law. From lifelong learners who want to know more about water preservation to those working in green and sustainable professions, this unique certificate provides introductory level training and skills relevant to a wide range of fields in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, including water industries, conservation, agriculture, construction, engineering, and law. Find out more HERE.

Announcements Late April

The Call for Papers for the 2019 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference "The Human Element" has been extended until April 19, 2019. You are cordially invited to submit ideas for presentations at the 14th Annual Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference. The 2019 conference will explore the influence of The Human Element on water and watersheds in Colorado and the West. This highly popular event expands cooperation and collaboration throughout our state for natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement by informing citizens groups, agencies, legislators, researchers, and practitioners about current issues and through networking opportunities. To learn more and submit your abstract go to SCW Call For Papers.

Colorado Trout Unlimited Spring Raffle. The winner will enjoy a two-day float for two down the Gunnison Gorge with Black Canyon Anglers. This is Colorado's signature wilderness flyfishing experience!  The trip includes lodging and dinner the night prior to the launch. On the float all meals are taken care of, if rental equipment is needed, it will be provided. For the launch, you'll need to hike in about one mile into the canyon with your personal gear, and from there you'll enjoy a memorable two-day one-night float through the legendary Gunnison Gorge with an accomplished guide. Valid through October 2019, subject to availability. $10 per ticket or $25 for 3. Drawing will be held Saturday April 27, 2019 at 8:00pm at the Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous which will be at Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs, CO. Online Ticket Sales end April 25th, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. Click HERE for more details.

The Associated Press reports that federal legislation has been introduced on a plan to address the shrinking supply of water from a river that serves 40 million people in the West. Arizona’s Sen. Martha McSally and Rep. Raul Grijalva introduced identical bills Tuesday and vowed to move them quickly through the chambers. Lawmakers from Colorado River basin states signed on as co-sponsors. The states want congressional approval by April 22nd so that Mexico will join some states in contributing water to Lake Mead on the Arizona-Nevada border. For the full article, click HERE.

APRIL 25th: Reg. 84 Stakeholder meeting (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.) CDPHE Main Campus, Room C1A
We are in the middle of hosting a stakeholder process regarding the use of reclaimed water to irrigate commercial and noncommercial crops. The stakeholder process runs from October 2018 through May 2019. During the process several work groups have been formed. Work groups collaborate to develop information to present to the commission during the rulemaking in October 2019. Your participation and input is encouraged. Visit the Regulation 84 stakeholder website HERE.

APRIL 25th, 2019: Consortium for Research and Education on Emerging Contaminants (CREEC) meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. at a location to be determined. Brett Blackwell from EPA in Duluth will be one of the presenters. Details to follow. Learn more about CREEC HERE.

MAY 1st, 2019: The Watershed Wildfire Protection Group meeting 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. The location will be - Buffalo Mountain Room Summit County Commons 0037 Peak One Drive Frisco, CO 80443. More information can be found HERE.

MAY 1st, 2019: Abstract submissions are due for the San Juan Mining and Reclamation Conference and Innovation Expo - September 24-27, 2019. This year, the two events are combined. Registration is OPEN for accepting abstract submissions for presentations & demonstrations. The Call for Abstracts and the link to Registration can be found HERE.

MAY 2019 WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION - HEARING NOTICES
The following Notices of public triennial informational hearings have been posted on the commission’s website HERE.

  • "The Basic Standards for Groundwater" Regulation #41 (5 CCR 1002-41);

  • "Site-Specific Water Quality Classifications and Standards for Ground Water" Regulation #42 (5 CCR 1002-42);

  • "Dillon Reservoir Control Regulation" Regulation #71 (5 CCR 1002-71). 

  • FY2019 Section 319 nonpoint source project funding

MAY 14th, 2019: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to honor an amazing story unfolding right now in the Middle South Platte River Alliance community. It's all about how a huge, $3.5 flood-recovery project came to happen despite all odds. It's about great progress for Colorado's river environment. And about a win-win in an agricultural community. With an unusual collection of players who don't often collaborate, the largest ditch company working with the feds, the state, and a local river coalition to build a new structure that accommodates fish and boats too. Click HERE for more details about government & agriculture collaborating on river project.

MAY 21st, 2019: Reg. 84 Stakeholder meeting (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.) CDPHE Main Campus, Room C1A
We are in the middle of hosting a stakeholder process regarding the use of reclaimed water to irrigate commercial and noncommercial crops. The stakeholder process runs from October 2018 through May 2019. During the process several work groups have been formed. Work groups collaborate to develop information to present to the commission during the rulemaking in October 2019. Your participation and input is encouraged. Visit the Regulation 84 stakeholder website HERE.

2019 Request for Water Process. In January, the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado Water Trust opened up the second year of their Request for Water Process. The Request for Water Process streamlines and enhances an existing CWCB program that provides benefits to water right owners for using their water rights to help keep rivers and watersheds healthy. If you'd like to learn more, Colorado Water Trust is hosting a 2019 Request for Water Process Webinar on April 25th, 2019 1:00 p.m. MDT, register HERE. The Request for Water Process website also has the details and resources to answer your questions HERE. Contact the Water Trust at (720) 570-2897 or send an email to RFW@ColoradoWaterTrust.org with specific questions. The deadline for submitting preliminary water right offers is June 30th, 2019.

The Walton Family Foundation released their 2018 Annual Report, which can be found HERE.

Colorado Drought Plan Visualization Story Map - The Colorado Water Conservation Board has launched an interactive dashboard displaying drought vulnerability at the state and county level based on Colorado's 2018 Drought Plan. The platform is an Esri Story Map that provides visual summaries of Colorado drought risk by sectors, using images and graphs to allow users to interact and engage with data. Find it HERE.

The Hill reports that the House and Senate approved a seven-state agreement Monday night designed to reduce use of water from the parched Colorado River by drought-stricken Western states. The Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act will leave in place federal protection for the Salton Sea, according to KESQ Palm Springs. The plan will spread the effects of expected cutbacks on the river and protect the levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the river's two largest reservoirs. The entire article can be found HERE.

Help Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s project with a 5 minute survey! The Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) is an on-going project-identifying plan that needs your support! Do you recreate on the river at all? Fish? Swim? Boat? Riverside picnic? Take their river users survey to begin to help quantify just how much waterways are used for recreation and enjoyment. Want to learn more about the IWMP? Visit this quick Post Independent column HERE.

The March 2019 Drought Update, a summary of the drought information presented at the March 19th Joint Water Availability & Flood Task Force Meeting will be posted on the CWCB website.  All of the presentations from the meeting can also be found on the CWCB website.

Center for Health & Environmental Justice is exploring the possibility of working on a national campaign around water contamination.  Several bills related to clean water have been introduced last year. These relate to testing school pipes, testing and repairing pipes within HUD housing, and testing and repairing older pipes in cities and towns that need new infrastructures. They are monitoring water related legislation that will be reintroduced this year. CHEJ would like to understand better where and what water concerns people in the network have in terms of drinking water, infrastructure and contaminated water sources. Please let them know whether or not there is a water related issue in your community, even if you are not working on it at this time.

Colorado Water Trust thanks their RiverBank Sponsors! Their Annual RiverBank Celebration is on June 11th at the Denver Botanic Gardens this year - check out all the cool benefits sponsors receive HERE! Would your company like to get your name out as supporter of healthy Colorado rivers, too? Click HERE to learn about sponsoring RiverBank.

A press release from Rio de la Vista came out earlier this month on the new San Juan Luis Valley Wetland and Wildlife Assessment, which is the focus of Salazar Center talk at ASU. Read the full release HERE.

Job Announcements Late April

AloTerra Restoration Services, LLC (AloTerra) is seeking a full-time GIS and Restoration Technician to provide organization of geospatial data, creation of maps and figures, and analysis of spatial data, by means of GIS software and other geospatial and cartographic means. Duties include a variety of technical office and field work tasks such as: production of high-quality maps, creation of plan set designs, field assessments, calculating treatment take-offs (acreage, quantity of plants, linear distances, etc.), data entry and basic analysis, report writing, and other technical support. Fort Collins, CO. Application Deadline: April 15, 2019. See the full job description HERE.

Demand Management Feasibility Investigations. As directed by the 2019 Work Plan for Intrastate Demand Management Feasibility Investigations, the CWCB will be finalizing subject matter work groups through the end of April. They are looking for individuals that possess subject matter expertise, and are interested in serving as a member of one of the following work groups:

  • Law and Policy

  • Monitoring and Verification

  • Water Rights Administration and Accounting

  • Environmental Considerations

  • Economic Considerations

  • Funding

  • Education and Outreach

  • Agricultural Impacts

If interested, please send your name, contact information, and a brief summary of your work on Colorado River issues and water management solutions by April 19th, 2019 to brent.newman@state.co.us.

The Jefferson Conservation District has a job opening for an Urban Agriculture and Noxious Weed Coordinator.  The position is non-exempt, full-time (40 hours per week). The position is located in Lakewood, Colorado. The position is open until filled.  Application review will begin on after April 21st, 2019. Click HERE for the full job announcement and information on applying for the job.

The Jefferson Conservation District has a job opening for a Conservation Forester. The position is non-exempt, full-time (40 hours per week). The position is located in Lakewood, Colorado. The position is open until filled.  Application review will begin on after April 21st, 2019. Click HERE for the full job announcement and information on applying for the job.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space is seeking to fill two full-time, permanent, benefited Resource Specialists positions within our Plant Ecology Group.  This is your chance to work with a progressive, land management agency based in Longmont, Colorado, that manages over 65,000 acres of open space. Applications close April 23rd. For full details and to apply, visit the job posting linked HERE.  

The Fort Collins Natural Areas Department has posted an awesome employment opportunity for a Senior Supervisor & Project Manager. This senior level, supervisory position is responsible for all strategic, management, restoration, and recreation planning. In addition, special projects are managed by, or under the direction of, this position. Success in this position will require the ability to collaborate deeply with internal and external partners. A high level of expertise and experience is required in natural resource management, biological restoration, and Western water law and administration. The candidate must have a history of successfully leading and managing teams, individuals, and projects. The application deadline is April 26th.  The job posting can be found HERE.

The Southwestern Water Conservation District is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. The District was created by Colorado statute in 1941 to promote the conservation, use and development of the water of the San Juan and Dolores River basins in Southwestern Colorado. The Executive Director works collaboratively to bring together groups of diverse interests on complicated matters. Applications are due on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. The job description and required application materials can be obtained from the District HERE.

River Network is hiring a full time Marketing and Communications Manager. This position will be responsible for maintaining River Network’s inclusive and diverse visual identity, expanding our brand identity, integrating our program work into regular outreach and marketing, overseeing the content management for and production of a number of our regular publications, and promoting our learning opportunities for greater reach and influence. Position will remain open until filled with expectation of a May or June start date. For more information and how to apply head HERE.

The Greenway Foundation's SPREE program is hiring for two seasonal positions to help facilitate Denver-based environmental education programs.

  • Summer Educator: Summer Camp Educators will lead campers, ages 6-14, through daily activities, crafts and games about the environment along the South Platte River or Cherry Creek. This 3-month position runs from May 28- August 16.

  • 6- Month Educator: This position runs May 28- November 26. 6-month educators work at one of the summer camps, as well as teach in the school- year excursion program in the fall.

The Teens Inc, TeamWorks program still has 2 open positions for Crew Leaders based in Denver!  TeamWorks provides an educational work experience and the opportunity for youth ages 16 - 20 to develop collaborative skills within a diverse group. Through various types of conservation, community-based, and trail projects, TeamWorks exposes youth to potential career paths, positive role models, a variety of perspectives on the environment and conservation, and how it relates to their community. See the full job description HERE, and apply directly to be a Crew Leader HERE.

Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. is seeking a Professional Water Resources Engineer for a wide range of projects, such as wetland and stream restoration; aquatic species passage projects; forest road and trail closures, reroutes, or development; post-fire/flood emergency response; water quality BMP projects; etc. The location is Lake George, CO, though the individual may telecommute a significant portion of the time. See the full job description HERE.  

Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. is seeking a Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager. The Mitigation Program Manager is responsible for implementing Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc wildfire risk reduction mitigation programs and associated wildfire risk reduction/mitigation projects and activities across the United States. The position works directly with COCO leadership staff on wildfire risk reduction initiatives. The Mitigation Specialist will act as a liaison between federal, state, county and local representatives to encourage information exchange, on-the-ground program implementation, provide mentoring and training, and work to strengthen collaborative partnerships between agencies and communities. This position requires acceptance and active participation in the Community Mitigation Assistance Team. **This is not an entry-level position** Incumbent is expected to have significant professional knowledge and ability related to the following tasks. Find out more HERE.

City of Aurora seeks a Park Ranger. The Park Ranger provides for public safety, natural resource management, and community outreach primarily at sites and facilities assigned to the Open Space and Natural Resources Division of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department. This posting will remain open until a sufficient pool of qualified applicants are obtained; however, it is subject to close at any time without prior notice. Learn more HERE.

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is hiring an Associate Director. They are seeking collaborative, enthusiastic team players with experience that could range from minimal-with-exceptional-talent to extensive-relevant-experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting March 15, 2019. Visit MSI’s career page HERE.

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is hiring a Development and Engagement Director. They are seeking collaborative, enthusiastic team players with experience that could range from minimal-with-exceptional-talent to extensive-relevant-experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting March 15, 2019. Visit MSI’s career page HERE.

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is hiring a Forest Program Associate/ Partnership Coordinator. They are seeking collaborative, enthusiastic team players with experience that could range from minimal-with-exceptional-talent to extensive-relevant-experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting March 15, 2019. Visit MSI’s career page HERE.

Work for nature this summer. The U.S. Forest Service and USDA have over 900 positions available. Search for temporary jobs HERE.

The City of Aurora’s Open Space and Natural Resource division is hiring two Seasonal Naturalist positions. Join their team of enthusiastic, adventurous and educated natural resource professionals for a fun spring, summer, and fall season in their over 8,000 acres of open space and in their three award-winning nature centers. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

The city of Aurora’s Open Space and Natural Resource division is hiring one Go Wild Summer Program Assistant. Go WILD Summer Program Assistant works with the Go WILD Program Coordinator to provide logistic and administrative requirements in order to carry out the programs for this grant funded effort. Programs will be offered for groups of up to 50 students and their guardians, in open space and nature based outdoor recreation / education guided programs. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

A new season of Land Conservation is only a few months away! Mile High Youth Corps is now hiring Crew Leaders for their Denver and Colorado Springs programs. They also seek Summer of Service Corps Members in Denver and Colorado Springs. Position descriptions can be found HERE. Please send a resume and cover letter to staffjobs@mhyc.net if you are interested in applying.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is hiring! This job is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in the outdoors, is ready to meet great people dedicated to taking care of Colorado, and is looking to build their professional network in the outdoor stewardship industry. This Seasonal Field Projects Coordinator is a full-time, term limited, non-exempt position that works to provide professional project management, logistical support, and volunteer leadership coordination on VOC volunteer projects both in the office and in the field. Position will remain open until filled. The seasonal term is from April 1 -  September 27, 2019. Apply HERE.

Parker Water and Sanitation District is accepting applications for a full-time Water Efficiency Specialist. Find out more HERE.

The City of Louisville is excited to announce two Open Space/Natural Resource Seasonal positions! Pay Range: $13-$15 hourly, 40 hours per week starting as early as April 15th, 2019 and ending no later than October 11th, 2019. Applications accepted continuously. Find the full description HERE.

South Suburban Park and Recreation District (Centennial, CO) is seeking a FT Park Ranger. The Park Ranger is responsible for enforcement of District park rules and regulations as well as work in wildlife and resource management, environmental education, public relations, property inspections and routine patrol. Additional responsibilities are to assist with District user permits and special events and South Platte Park maintenance and resource projects. For details and to apply, click HERE.  

South Platte Park is seeking an Environmental Education/Interpretation Intern (student). Applications are accepted continuously. Details are HERE.

Biological Science Technician Position - Summer 2019 through The Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit with USDA-ARS. It is based in Fort Collins, CO and involves day trips to the Central Plains Experimental Range in eastern Colorado and overnight trips to the Thunder Basin National Grassland in northeastern Wyoming to collect experimental data. The technician will be working to understand how rangeland management and climate variability/extremes interact to influence water and plant dynamics in semi-arid rangelands. Dates: April to August/September or Mid-May to mid-August flexibly. Request the full job description or submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and 3 references as soon as possible to David Hoover: David.Hoover@usda.gov and Lauren Poresnsky: Lauren.Porensky@usda.gov. Please include in resume: Major/Minor, Relevant Experience, Relevant Coursework, Technical Skills. Submissions will be reviewed as received until positions are filled.

The WCCC BLM Internship Program is a unique opportunity to work directly with the Bureau of Land Management. The WCCC has opportunities to serve directly with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), through the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) and other assistance agreements. Positions range from hydrology work, cadastral surveying, travel management, botany and others. Positions are available throughout the state of Colorado. For more information, click HERE.