Job Announcements Late July

COCO, Coalition & Collaboratives, Inc., is seeking a Community Navigator Manager , which will support the development and delivery of Coalitions and Collaboratives’ Community Navigator Initiative in partnership with local, regional and national partners. The Manager will be part of a collaborative team that engages environmental justice and frontline communities - including Tribal governments, communities of color, low-income rural communities, and other communities at extreme risk to the impacts of climate change and at high risk to wildfire. These efforts are designed to strengthen community climate resilience and improve relationships and resource delivery between community-based organizations, the USDA Forest Service, and other federal, state, local agencies and entities. Application closes July 24th. Read the full job description HERE.

COCO, Coalition & Collaboratives, Inc., is seeking a Grants and Account (G&A) Coordinator. This position plays a crucial role in supporting key COCO programs such as the Action, Implementation, & Mitigation (AIM) grant program and Community Navigators Initiative. These programs offer substantial funding, mentorship, capacity-building, and training opportunities to place-based organizations nationwide, supporting wildfire & climate change resilience. The G&A Coordinator serves as a liaison between internal staff, external partners, sub-recipients, and agencies, to ensure effective collaboration and compliance. Application closes July 26th. Read the full job description HERE.

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers in the search for their next Executive Director. WRV seeks an experienced individual who is passionate about WRV’s mission: "Building diverse communities that care for the land”. The ED leads WRV’s continuing efforts to build a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community of staff and volunteers who are committed to healing the land. The ED is responsible for leading a staff of 15, providing oversight to the programs and operations of WRV. The ED reports to the Board of Directors. Areas of responsibility include strategic planning; donor, partner, and community relationships; senior staff leadership; financial oversight; operations oversight; and coordination with the Board of Directors. Read the full job description HERE.

Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) seeks an Executive Director – an enthusiastic, creative, independent leader to build on our success and grow their organization as a full-time salaried employee position. MCWC was initially organized by a group of visionary community leaders as an informal partnership in 2009 and formalized as a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization in 2013. Our mission is to evaluate, protect and enhance the health of the middle Colorado River watershed through the cooperative efforts of watershed stakeholders. Learn more and apply.

Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) is seeking a full-time Project Manager to work in coordination with the Executive Director on Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) projects, River Watch activities, and River Stop management. Learn more and apply.

The Colorado River District is hiring a Geotechnical and Dam Safety Engineer to perform technical, project management, advocacy, and engineering work in close coordination with and under the general direction of the Director of Asset Management/Chief Engineer. This position includes analyzing, interpreting, and managing dam embankment instrumentation data and ensuring the integrity and safety of dam structures through diligent monitoring and technical studies. The role involves project management responsibilities, coordinating with consultants and contractors to complete dam, reservoir, recreation area, and mitigation area-related projects. This position is based out of Glenwood Springs near the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers.

The City of Greeley is seeking a Deputy Director for Water Resources. The Deputy Director for Water Resources is responsible for both ongoing water resource programs and implementation of the Integrated Water Resources Plan, protection of Greeley Water Rights and leading strategic water resources initiatives. Ongoing source water management and operations, water resource administration and state reporting, conservation programs, non-potable raw water system operations, dich company relations, regional water resource stake holding, Colorado River monitoring, and watershed health are all under the direction of the Water Resources Deputy Director.

Northern Water is seeking a Grant Coordinator for coordinating the pre-award planning, organization, and preparation, as well as post-award administration of various grants, including those awarded by Northern Water to grantees. Working closely with different departments throughout the organization, the Grant Coordinator supports initiatives spanning water efficiency services, forest health, source water protection, and post-fire recovery, as well as infrastructure projects. Effective collaboration with project and program managers and finance and administrative staff is paramount to ensuring that grants adhere to regulatory, funding agency, and policy requirements.

Northern Water is seeking a Water Efficiency Planner to promote water efficiency, implement sustainable water management and expand our outreach and impact. This individual will assist with developing and implementing conservation services that maximize the value of water used in residential, commercial and municipal settings. Focus areas include various end uses of water, cost-benefit analyses, landscapes, water loss and water smart development. Tasks involve coordinating stakeholder groups, outreach and program monitoring. The Water Efficiency Planner will research and report on local, regional, statewide and national water efficiency policy, laws, regulations and programs.

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (Caee) eeCorps program is now recruiting for AmeriCorps positions to start this September. Throughout their service, members focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals of the Colorado Environmental Education Plan through field trips, in-school and outreach programs, overnight backpacking and camping trips, skiing and biking instruction, summer camps, and so much more. During their terms, members receive a living allowance and ample opportunities for professional development and networking within the EE community and earn an education award upon successful completion of their service.

Little Thompson Water District is seeking an Operations Manager. As a member of the leadership team and under the general supervision of the District Manager plans, organizes, reviews, and directs the operation and control of the District’s distribution system including the daily operations and administrative requirements of the distribution system and facilities. Directs and supervises the activities of the operations and maintenance department including the installation, maintenance, and repair of all water system facilities. Learn more HERE.

Little Thompson Water District is seeking a Civil Engineer I. Under the supervision of the District Engineer, responsible for the review of proposed developments and the associated water system infrastructure improvements required for providing water service within the District service boundaries, including the preparation of water service commitment documents as necessary.  Additional responsibilities include the planning, designing and construction oversight of water system facilities including capital improvement and maintenance projects. Work can include system hydraulic analysis, facility design, system mapping, CAD document preparation, specifications development and other related work as assigned. Learn more HERE.

Denver Water is seeking a Water Treatment Tech to perform a variety of jobs necessary for the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and appurtenant structures. As a treatment technician, learn to use physical and chemical conventional water treatment techniques to become proficient at providing an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water to the public. As an asset management technician, learn to maintain plant equipment and structures such as chemical feed/storage, piping, valves, basins, and reservoirs. Learn more HERE.

Denver Water is seeking a Plant Operator A to perform a variety of duties essential to the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants (potable and recycled).  Use physical, biological, and chemical water treatment techniques to produce finished water that meets Federal and State regulatory requirements and Denver Water’s water quality goals. Learn more HERE.

Denver Wateris seeking a Dam Safety Engineer to assist our dam safety team as an Associate Engineer, Engineer, or Engineer Senior (depending on the hiring level and candidate's qualifications) under the direction of the Engineering Manager of Dam Safety. The selected candidate will perform a variety of advanced professional-level engineering work of a technical and complex nature related to geotechnical, structural, hydrologic, and/or hydraulic disciplines. Learn more HERE.

Funding Opportunities Late July

Grant Deadlines:

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Fiscal Year 2024 Building Partner Capacity and Promoting Resiliency and Equity under Clean Water Act. The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to provide support for training and related activities to build the capacity of agricultural partners, state, territorial and Tribal officials and nongovernmental stakeholders in activities to be carried out to support the goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Program, the CWA 305(b) Program, the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program, the Nonpoint Source (CWA Section 319) Program, the Fish Monitoring/Advisory Programs, the Recreational Waters/Beach Monitoring Programs and the Water Quality Monitoring Program. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 17th, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. EDT. Late submission will not be considered for funding. A full application package can be found at EPA-OW-OWOW-24-03.

EPA's Creating Resilient Water Utilities is offering free Technical Assistance (TA) to interested stakeholders. EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative provides the water sector and its stakeholders with practical tools, training, and technical assistance needed to increase their infrastructure’s resilience to these hazards. Request free help today and take steps to protect your community’s multi-million dollar infrastructure investments. The deadline to sign up for this TA is August 15th, and will be available on a first come first served basis. If selected, CRWU would begin working with your community between October 2024 and July 2025. If you are interested in this FREE assessment, please click the link below. Click Here to Request a Free Risk Assessment;,  Mullins.Matthew@epa.gov

The Forest Service’s Forest Landowner Support program has a new funding opportunity focused on Tribal access to emerging private markets for forest resilience or climate mitigation. Eligible applicants include: Federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations/Villages, and Tribal Organizations. The deadline for NOFO 2 is August 21st, 2024, at 11:59pm EST.

Colorado Department of Agriculture Matching Grants Program - Applications due August 25th, 2024. A federal, state and local partnership to deliver natural resource conservation technical assistance to private landowners. Open to ALL Conservation Districts in Colorado who have met the state statutory requirements to be a district in "Good Standing". Find application materials HERE. 

Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap: EPA is offering free technical assistance for communities with failing decentralized (septic) wastewater systems, or communities with no existing wastewater systems at all. Do septic systems back up into homes or cause sewage to pool in yards? Does the town or county struggle to provide adequate sanitation services to its residents? Does the community struggle to rebuild damaged or non-functioning wastewater and septic systems? If any of these conditions apply, then your community may be eligible for assistance through this initiative. Communities – including homeowners and utilities – and all states, Tribes, and territories can request no-cost technical assistance. Technical assistance can help assess current wastewater infrastructure, recommend options, and support development of funding applications for the community. More information can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/closing-americas-wastewater-access-gap. Click Here to Request Free Technical Assistance; Email SepticHelp@epa.gov with questions

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is pleased to announce the 2024 Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) application period is now open. The CWHP is a statewide program that offers funding opportunities to landowners who wish to protect wildlife habitat on their property, and/or provide wildlife-related recreational public access. The CWHP is an incentive-based program that funds conservation easements, public access easements, and fee title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation and public access goals.  More information and application materials are available here at cpw.state.co.us/cwhp. Proposals must be received by Thurs., Oct. 10th, 2024 at 5 p.m. Applicants are advised to contact their local CPW staff and the CWHP manager before submitting an application. Local CPW office contact information can be found on CPW’s website.

EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants  — Rolling Applications until November 21st, 2024 — EPA’s new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. 

Grant Programs:

Community Navigator Program - The Watershed Center and Coalitions and Collaboratives, along with several other national and regional nonprofit organizations, are partnering with the US Forest Service on a community navigator initiative, which supports communities in accessing federal funding opportunities, creating partnerships, and building capacity for wildfire risk mitigation and climate resilience. To get in touch with a navigator, fill out a request form here

IRA Forest Landowner Support - Provides grant opportunities to entities and organizations delivering technical and financial assistance to private forest landowners - including Tribes, underserved landowners, and small-acreage landowners - to participate in emerging private markets for forest resilience and climate mitigation.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants — Rolling application window open — The USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program supports eligible communities to prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible applicants must show a decline in quantity or quality of water that occurred within two years of the date of the application or that a significant decline in quality or quantity of water is imminent.

Federal Technical Assistance Grants. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a total of $5 million in federal funding has been allocated for technical assistance grants that will enable eligible entities to work with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) contractors or to hire contractors to expand their capacity and expertise, in pursuit of federal funding opportunities that directly support the Colorado Water Plan objectives. The allowable uses of this grant funding are broad in scope, to allow for the wide range of federal opportunities available. Funding can be used for: preliminary project planning and design, preliminary permitting, development of estimated project costs, navigation of available federal opportunities, grant writing, and federal grant application submission. Rolling application deadline.

FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs are provided to eligible applicant states/tribes/territories that, in turn, provide sub-grants to local governments. The applicant selects and prioritizes applications developed and submitted to them by local jurisdictions to submit to FEMA for grant funds. Prospective sub-applicants should consult the official designated point of contact for their applicant state/tribe/territory for further information regarding specific program and application requirements.

The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) was created after the devastating 2020 fire season by the Colorado legislature through the bi-partisan supported SB21-258 in the summer of 2021. COSWAP is designed to quickly move $17.5 million state stimulus dollars to start on-the-ground work on fuels reduction projects and increase Colorado's capacity to conduct critical forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work that will increase community resilience and protect life, property and infrastructure.

City of Ft. Collins Nature in the City Planning Grants. Have an idea for a nature play area, outdoor gathering space, or pollinator restorations? The Dream it Up Project Planning grants can help you and your community plan out your dream project. Anyone from HOA's, faith-based organizations, affordable housing communities, and even schools are welcome and encouraged to apply. Get started!

Colorado Environmental Justice Grants Program - Community Solutions to Improve Environmental Health. This grant opportunity was created by the Environmental Justice Act to provide funding to communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. The Environmental Justice Advisory Board oversees the EJ Grants Program and will serve as the selection committee for the grants. You can apply for this grant if you are part of a: non-profit organization, local government, federally-recognized Tribal government, university, other educational institution, for-profit corporation, or grassroots organization.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Watershed Operations PL-566 Program. 

Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) - CDPHE’s SWAP program's main objective is to minimize potential contaminant threats to public drinking water supplies. To engage in this effort, public water systems and governmental entities can apply for a $5,000 protection planning grant through the SWAP program. The SWAP program also supports Wildland Fire Decision Support System work and post-wildfire recovery efforts. SWAP program staff assisted in the development of the Post Fire Playbook to assist local recovery groups in navigating the complexities surrounding post-wildfire recovery. For more information visit the SWAP page.

Water Quality Grants and Loans Unit - CDPHE’s Grants and Loans Unit offers small community grants and water quality improvement fund grants to protect public health and water quality. They also administer the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program to finance the design and construction of public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. More information on eligible drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects is available on the water quality grants and loans page.

The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership was created in 2021 to fund multi-purpose water projects on the Western Slope in five project categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency. Funding for the program was approved by Western Colorado voters as part of ballot question 7A in November 2020. These funds provide a catalyst for projects that are priorities for residents in the District to receive matching funds from state, federal and private sources. Click HERE for more information and to apply.

Click here to access the funding opportunity on grants.gov and download the complete Notice of Funding Opportunity (also searchable using the opportunity number R23AS00089). 

Colorado Water Conservation Board has compiled this database to serve as a tool for people and organizations across Colorado to navigate all available funding opportunities for water projects in a single place.

A list of state, federal and private funding available for a wide variety of wildfire mitigation projects including Watershed Health.

Conferences & Events Late July

July 17th, 2024 | Wade the River at Poudre Trail from 9:30am to 12pm. Registration is highly suggested, but not required. All ages welcome! Use dip nets and collecting trays to discover what lives beneath the surface of the Cache la Poudre River. Biologists will be on hand to help identify your finds. All dip netting equipment is provided. More information HERE. 

July 18th, 2024 | An Evening on the Lake at 6:00 pm at Hallam Lake sponsored by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. A benefit for environmental education.

July 18th, 2024 | Blue River Watershed Group for their monthly River Watch sampling and processing. Meet at the Silverthorne Pavilion outdoor tables. ​Email info@blueriverwatershed.org to sign up. 

July 20th, 2024 | Cherry Creek State Park Lake Appreciation Day - Volunteer Shoreline Clean up. 8:00 to 11:30 am volunteers will be cleaning up the shoreline from Tower Loop to East Shades Parking lot. 11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Grilled lunch will be provided. 1:00 to 3:00 pm Educational booths and Fun Activities for the public.

July 20th, 2024 | Denver Champion Tree Walking Tour from 8:00 am - 11:00 am. This is a 3-mile walking tour that will feature nearly 30 of Colorado’s Champion trees and some of the history around community forestry in Denver at South High School in Washington Park, and surrounding neighborhood. There is a suggested donation of $25/per person. Proceeds benefit The Colorado Tree Coalition. For more information and to register, click HERE.

July 20th, 2024 | Yampa River Reggae Festival River Cleanup. From 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Loudy-Simpson Park, Craig, CO. Daytime events include 5K Fun Run, Yoga in the Park with the Bands, Food Vendors, Art and Craft Vendors. Concert starts at 12pm with a Beer Garden. No outside alcohol or pets allowed at the event.

July 26th, 2024 | Upper Colorado Watershed Environment Team is hosting a guided Watershed Walk to allow participants to learn, up close and personal, about the Colorado River watershed. Meet at Pioneer Park in Hot Sulphur Springs at 4pm. Learn more HERE. 

July 29th, 2024 | Insects of the Roaring Fork River - Join Roaring Fork Conservancy from 12:00PM - 2:00PM for a guided exploration of aquatic life in the heart of Aspen, you’ll discover various types of insects that live in the water and play a key role in healthy river ecosystems. With options to get your hands and feet wet (or not!), our knowledgeable staff will be there to help identify these little creatures and correlate them to your favorite fly fishing fly, your least favorite household bugs, and explain how they serve as indicators of healthy rivers. Learn more HERE.

July 29th, 2024 | Water in the Age of Silver: Touring Aspen’s “Holden Works” - Join Aspen Historical Society, Roaring Fork Conservancy and City of Aspen Parks and Open Space to discover the largest industrial site in the history of Pitkin County: a state of the art silver processing plant known as the Holden Lixiviation Works. This silver processing plant was built on the banks of Castle Creek in 1891 by Edward Royal Holden, leading to innovative and sometimes destructive uses of water resources for hydropower and waste disposal. Explore the history, the museum, and the remnants of the “Works” (including the newly reconstructed cable derrick) to learn how one of our most precious resources, freshwater, was utilized in a different era. We'll also examine the effects of time on the riparian area along Castle Creek. Learn more HERE.

August 10th, 2024 | Poudre RiverFest is a free, family-friendly festival that celebrates the Poudre River, promotes restoration, and educates people about our river corridor, an important natural resource in our community. The festival features activities for children and adults to explore the role of the river as an important habitat for wildlife, a lively recreation area, and a source for clean drinking water. 

August 11th, 2024 | CSU Spur Hydro and Terra Buildings Green Roof Tour. Join for a tour of the 7500 square foot green roof on the Hydro and Terra Buildings at the CSU Spur Campus. Made up of 8 layers of material, this vegetated green roof absorbs rainwater and reduces stormwater run-off. Additionally, water from the roof is collected and piped directly into the water tap for research, directed to the ground level into a bioswale, and used for irrigation on other areas of the property.

August 20th - 22nd, 2024 | Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference. An exploration of pressing issues facing the water industry against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains at the stunning Cheyenne Mountain Resort. This conference offers a diverse array of topics, from legislative updates shaping water policy to discussions on wildlife conservation and management. Dive deep into the complexities of the Colorado River Basin, exploring its ecological significance, management challenges, and the interplay between communities and water resources in the hydro-social context. The 2024 Summer Event will feature 5 Pre-Conference Workshops. Learn More and Register.

August 24th, 2024 | Join RiversEdge West for their Raft the River fundraiser. This river float trip offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Colorado River while contributing to its restoration. Our expert guides will accompany you and offer insights into the vital work of riverside restoration in the Grand Valley. Learn more HERE. 

September 4th - 6th, 2024 | Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit: Scaling and Sustaining Local Impact | Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado. Place-based collaboratives work in close partnership with state and federal agencies to achieve big-picture goals that require local expertise, buy-in, and implementation. Working to match goals and opportunities across varying local, regional, state, and federal scales has proven challenging. Southwest Colorado has long been a hot spot for innovative multi-level collaboration that successfully bridges large-scale initiatives to local action. At the 2024 Colorado Forest Collaboratives Summit, we draw from successes and challenges in Southwest Colorado and beyond to understand: How can we bridge the gap between local work and large federal opportunities? How can we adapt and sustain work at the local scale when high-level directives change?

September 5th, 2024 | Colorado WaterWise 2024 the Colorado WaterWise Symposium at the Denver Marriott Westminster from 9:00am-4:30pm. This event brings together water professionals from across Colorado to learn from leading experts on a variety of topics including, water conservation, technology, land-use development and water nexus, legislative updates and more. Registration is OPEN!

September 5th, 2024 | Water Education Colorado is hosting their 18th annual President’s Reception. Gather for a fun-filled evening of celebration, networking, and awards as we honor exemplary water leadership, and raise money for the critical mission of informing Coloradans on water! Get your tickets HERE. 

September 11th - 13th, 2023 | San Luis Rural Philanthropy Days. This unique conference provides a forum for quality professional development opportunities close to home as well as networking with other community leaders in the region and relationship building opportunities with statewide funders. RPD® not only creates the space to educate each other on regional needs but also works towards collaboratively addressing community-wide issues in the region. This opportunity only occurs once every four years in the San Luis Valley region which is composed of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. Registration opens on Tuesday, July 23.

September 16th, 2024 | Xeriscape Walking Tour -  FC Moves, in partnership with Utilities and Natural Areas, will be hosting several xeriscape garden biking and walking tours. Curious about converting your yard to a native or xeriscape garden? Learn more about waterwise landscapes, the Xeriscape Incentive Program, native plants and pollinators, and other important information on these tours. Click HERE to register. 

September 20th, 2024 | The Colorado River District’s Annual Water Seminar. As temperatures rise and populations grow, the strain on our water systems becomes more pronounced. Nowhere is this more evident than in the communities of the West Slope, the headwaters of the Colorado River. Since the early 2000’s, unpredictable snowpack and earlier, hotter summers have stressed water supplies, diminished environmental water quality, and impacted local economies that depend on healthy rivers for agriculture and recreation. Click HERE to register for virtual or in-person attendance.

September 23rd, 2024 | Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Vaudeville Glenwood screening. Save the date. 

September 27th, 2024 | 15th annual Environmental Learning for Kids ELK 'n Eggs fundraiser breakfast from 7:30 am - 9:00 am at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Reserve your seat today for this always fun and fresh event. Register Now.

September 28th, 2024 | Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Ute Theater, Rifle screening. Save the date. 

October 1st - 4th, 2024 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference | Save the Date

October 1st & 2nd, 2024 | Save the Date for the C-9 Summit meeting of the Colorado nine (9) Basin Roundtables, the Interbasin Compact Committee, the Colorado Water Conservation Board and other interested parties for thoughtful discussion around current water issues and collaboration. Day 1 will include pre-conference tours and events around Crested Butte as well as an evening reception and dinner. Day 2 will include a full-day conference at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts from 8 AM - 5 PM. Agenda, registration, and tour details will be announced in the coming weeks.

October 4th - 6th, 2024 | Rocky Mountain Cell Friends of the Pleistocene Field Trip. Come explore the paleoclimatology and geomorphology of central Utah! This Friends of the Pleistocene (FOP) trip is motivated by recent and ongoing research into how one of the world’s greatest landscapes developed. Presenters will focus on Quaternary features and highlight recent and ongoing research into how the extraordinary features of this region developed.

October 8th - 10th, 2024 |Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference: Flowing Through Change. The Sustaining Colorado Watersheds (SCW) Conference has been held annually for the past 18 years to bring together knowledgeable and engaged community members, scientists, ecologists, water managers, educators, community leaders, young professionals, policymakers, and regulators to share knowledge, network, and discuss current issues facing Colorado’s watersheds.

Trainings & Workshops Late July

July 17th, 2024 | PFAS 'Ask Me Anything' With all the facets of concern around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including the recently finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulation setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS, questions abound for public and private stakeholders. This live event will give you the chance to get those questions answered by three of the top experts in the field, providing a multitude of perspectives — from engineering and treatment to water quality and utility operations to legal and regulatory issues. Join host Kevin Westerling along with Kyle Thompson of Carollo Engineers, Lauren Weinrich of American Water, and Ken Sansone of SL Environmental Law Group, for a live "Ask Me Anything" session on PFAS. Register now with your questions, and tune in July 17 at 9am MST for updates on the latest PFAS developments, guidance on funding and compliance, and the answers you're seeking for hard-to-solve PFAS problems. Register HERE.

July 17th, 2024 (8-week course) | Water Sustainability in the Western U.S. CSU course, hosted by CSU Global. This CSU Fort Collins course is open to students, working professionals, and anyone interested in learning about this pivotal resource that has defined this region's past and is poised to determine and impact its future. No prerequisites needed. 8-week course, 100% online.

July 17th, 2024 | Education classes at the River Stop - How fire affects watersheds and ecosystems. Classes for kids to learn about the watershed, plants, wildfire and more. Register HERE. River Stop, 200 Lion’s Park Circle, Rifle, Wednesday from 1 pm – 2 pm.

July 23rd, 2024 | Drought Resiliency Program Tours - Boulder County Learn about CAWA's Drought Resiliency projects and 2025 funding opportunities. Register HERE to tour the Grama Grass & Livestock's Bale Grazing Project from 12:30 - 1:30pm. To tour the Isabelle Farm's Rotational Grazing & Soil Health project from 3 - 4 pm, register HERE. 

July 23, 2024 | State Revolving Fund Regional Workshop. Akron workshop to be held at the Akron Senior & Community Center, from 9:00 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. They will cover topics including: SRF basics (including details about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in the SRF program), Funding options for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, Planning, asset management, available technical assistance, Current and upcoming regulations regarding lead and emerging contaminants. Please RSVP to the Akron workshop by Wednesday, July 17. Lunch will be provided.

July 30th, 2024 | Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program - Virtual session from 11:30am - 1pm. Learn about the relationship between the USDA Forest Service and federally recognized Tribes; Hear examples of how the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) and 638 Contracting Authority are being used in landscape-scale forest restoration; engage with CFLRP practitioners and partners working under the TFPA and/or using 638 Contracting Authority. Register HERE.

July 30th, 2024 | AI for Nature: From Science to Impact - The Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) proudly presents this Walter Orr Roberts Memorial Public Lecture, presented by Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf (Ohio State University). The talk will introduce a new field of science, imageomics, and present a vision and examples of AI as a trustworthy partner both in science and biodiversity conservation, discussing opportunities and challenges. RSVP HERE. 

July 31st, 2024 | Education classes at the River Stop - Plants and Techniques Used for Stream Restoration. Classes for kids to learn about the watershed, plants, wildfire and more. Register HERE. River Stop, 200 Lion’s Park Circle, Rifle, Wednesday from 1 pm – 2 pm.

July 31st, 2024 | Join the Mesa Conservation District and RiversEdge West for a free restoration workshop from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Mesa County Central Library! This collaborative event will highlight the importance of ecological practices in our community, focusing on the benefits of riparian zones and wetlands for wildlife and vegetation diversity. Learn how native vegetation can improve wildlife corridors, enhance soil health, and restore natural land functions. Discover effective methods for removing invasive non-native species and the value that restoration brings to both wildlife and people. RSVP HERE. 

August 7th, 2024 | State Rotating Fund Changes Q&A Session at 2pm - will provide detailed information regarding the change, answer questions, and discuss any applicant concerns. The State Revolving Fund (SRF) plans to improve project prioritization procedures in 2025. The goal of this change is to equitably allow eligible systems the chance to apply for SRF funding. This change is necessary due to increased demand for the program and cuts to the SRF base funding from the EPA. Click HERE to join the session. 

August 8th, 2024 | GrantCorps Government Grant Reporting - will provide nonprofits with an in-depth overview of nonprofit grant award management quarterly and annual reporting processes and will assist organizations in developing systems to track grant reporting requirements and to collect and report the data to inform these reports. This workshop will be held on Zoom from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Register HERE.

September 10th - 12th, 2024 | Northern Colorado Prescribed Fire Train Exchange (NOCO TREX) - Grasslands Prescribed Fire Workshop in Greeley will have two components: 1) Grasslands Prescribed Fire Workshop in Greeley September 10-12th; 2) On-call implementation window for 5 days (M-F) of prescribed fire in Northern CO between Sept 16-Oct 31, 2024. Apply HERE.

September 17th - 19th, 2024 | Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Training in Aspen, CO is an EPA WaterSense labeled Professional Certification Program for Irrigation System Audits. The course provides landscape professionals with hands-on demonstrations and education on proper plant selection, landscape water use, irrigation system design and maintenance, controller programming and operation, and sustainable landscaping. Learn more HERE.

September 23rd & 24th, 2024 | National Stormwater Center - Colorado CSI MS4 Webinar. Designed for Municipal personnel (MS4), this course will focus on permit regulations and compliance to restore and maintain the waters of the United States.  Permits require certifying officials to select qualified stormwater personnel. Gain an in-depth understanding of stormwater permits, the six minimum control measures, how to conduct inspections, and the authority, demeanor, and discretion of stormwater inspectors to enhance your credentials. 

Webinar Recording: Overview of Prescribed Fire Liability in State Law. Lawyer Sara Clark provides an overview of prescribed fire liability in state law, including definitions of liability and how state laws defining liability interact with certified burn manager programs, tribal sovereignty and cultural burning, and prescribed fire insurance. This webinar is intended for those who are new to the issue of prescribed fire liability or those more experienced who would like an overview of the subject, especially anyone about to engage on similar policy initiatives in their state or jurisdiction.

Online Course: Leave No Trace 101 Course. This is an introduction to Leave No Trace and the actions we can collectively take to protect our planet. In this course we share helpful information with a simple framework of minimum impact practices to apply when spending time outdoors.

Watershed Academy’s new Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module Ready - The EPA Watershed Academy has released their new Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module. This module is intended for water quality and hazard mitigation professionals that are interested in integrating water quality issues and/or nature-based solutions into state or local Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs) and highlights the benefits of working across water quality and hazard mitigation programs. Modules in this series can be used as training tools to help planners from both worlds explore activities of mutual interest and benefit. Case studies and examples are provided to assist hazard mitigation planners with integrating water resource programs into HMPs and help watershed planners understand the synergies between water resource plans and HMPs. Visit this link to begin the course!

Colorado Water and the American West teaches students about the rich history of water in the Western United States, how native communities used it, and the American approach to water management. The western United States is a region with a long history of water challenges. In the American West, over 40 million people depend on the Colorado River, now listed as one of the most endangered rivers in America. MSU Denver developed the non credit Professional Water Studies courses for people interested in safeguarding this precious resource. Taught by MSU Denver faculty, courses are one month long, fully online, and self-paced to accommodate the schedules of busy professional students.

The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership presents 14 videos to help community members learn about how water is managed, restored and monitored in the upper Uncompahgre River watershed. Take advantage of this education resource to learn about your watershed including mine reclamation, water monitoring, recreational use, water conservation, drinking water and wastewater treatment and distribution, aquatic life, water scarcity, agricultural use, management, infrastructure, and more. Watch the video series HERE.

The American Stormwater Institute, LLC now offers live and online courses that deal with developing the knowledge and skills required to conduct stormwater inspections. Our courses are based on a “Real World” attitude of finding implementable solutions to the challenges that stormwater inspectors face every day. The state and federal regulations require that “QUALIFIED PERSONS” conduct inspections related to stormwater permits. The overarching goal of the ASI classes is to ensure that our students are well qualified to conduct these inspections. For a list of all classes offered click HERE.

Non-standard MS4 Permit PDD Template and Program Strategy Templates. SPLASH members and SEMSWA worked with CP Compliance to create resources to educate permittees. It may also assist permittees with the implementation of the new Non-standard MS4 Permit. Please click HERE to access the material.

MSU Denver developed the noncredit Water Studies courses for people interested in safeguarding this precious resource. Students will learn history, law, management, and water trends in Colorado and the American West. The courses have recently been improved, offering the same high quality, but shortened to meet your busy schedules. The course structure has been redesigned for each class to be one month long to improve the learning experience and accommodate the schedules of busy professional students. Click HERE for more information.

GrantCorps provides information, training, and technical support to nonprofits across Colorado in grant development and management so that funding gets to the organizations that need it most. All GrantCorps services are provided at no cost to eligible organizations. We support small, rural, and systemically marginalized communities, as well as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations so they can more equitably access private and government grant funding. For more information about GrantCorps, click HERE.

Waterloop has released an episode on how communities across the United States face significant challenges in accessing and effectively utilizing federal funding for water initiatives. The solution lies in leveraging these resources to empower grassroots organizations and address local water issues. Check it out HERE. 

Announcements Late July

Blue River Watershed Group is soliciting Proposals for Design Services for the Blue River Habitat Restoration Project on the Blue River in Summit County, Colorado. The overall goal for the project is to prepare construction-ready documents and prepare the sponsors to obtain funding, permits, clearances, and approvals for construction on three miles of the river. The work generally consists of channel restoration for the benefit of fish habitat, recreation, and public access. A mandatory pre bid meeting will be held on 15 July 2024, bids due 2pm MST 15 August 2024

Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Southwest Climate Hub and California Climate Hub have developed a browsable map-based tool that addresses water scarcity in the U.S. Southwest. The Water Adaptation Techniques Atlas (WATA) consolidates over 200 case studies on research and practices that water managers and producers can use to find location-specific and topical information to make informed decisions regarding water management. 

The State Revolving Fund (SRF) is planning to improve how it prioritizes funding projects. The goal of this change is to equitably allow eligible water systems the chance to apply for SRF funding. This change is necessary due to increased demand on the program, combined with cuts to the SRF base funding from the EPA. Learn more about the upcoming changes HERE.

The EPA has released the fifth edition of the Climate Change Indicators in the United States report that documents how climate change is impacting the United States today, the significance of these changes, and their possible consequences for people, the environment, and society. Read the report HERE. 

The EPA has released a Community Water System Service Area Boundaries map to describe the geographic area that receives drinking water from a given community water system. Knowing these boundaries help to connect water system data (such as, compliance status) with data about the populations that drink the water (such as, demographics). Ultimately, this data can be used to improve drinking water planning, environmental justice analysis, emergency response, and more. The service area boundary dataset includes both modeled and actual boundaries available for some states.