Job Announcements Early December

Chatfield Watershed Authority has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain competitive proposals from qualified consultants for a Manager to provide management and administrative services to the Chatfield Watershed Authority. Services to be provided include administrative, communication, and management functions to support the operation of an established and evolving watershed organization. The basin-wide group of counties, municipalities, special districts, private, and other entities, known as the “Chatfield Watershed Authority”, was formulated through intergovernmental agreement after the Chatfield Reservoir total phosphorus standard was adopted in 1984. Responses are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 10th. Click on Request for Proposal for the full request. For more information visit the Chatfield Watershed Authority Website.

Colorado State University is hiring an Extension Agent. This position develops, markets and delivers non-credit educational programming in response to community needs. The position will provide leadership, guidance, direction and educational program support to the 4-H youth development program in Jefferson County. This position will support the 4-H youth development and livestock program in Jefferson County. The 4-H youth development livestock agent will work with a team consisting of another 4-H youth development agent, 4-H mentoring program coordinator, 4-H camp coordinator, 4-H assistant and the Extension director. This dynamic team will work collaboratively to determine areas of expertise and local 4-H program responsibilities. This individual will have primary responsibility for the livestock, equine, small animal, and general projects including Shooting Sports within the 4-H club program. For full details, including how to apply, click HERE. Deadline to apply is December 27th, 2018.

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources is hiring a Ranger II. This position performs as a peace officer; enforces Colorado Revised Statutes and park rules and regulations; contacts violators and issues warning or citation; conducts investigations and arrests; performs a variety of professional work in providing ranger services to the public, including ranger natural resource management and interpretation, ranger and volunteer operations, enforcement of park regulations, supervision of Ranger I employees, seasonal, and assigned staff and minor maintenance tasks. For full description, including how to apply, click HERE. Job is open until filled.

Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is seeking an Executive Director provides leadership and support across the organization, setting and implementing the strategic direction to further the UDWC mission. The Executive Director has overall administrative responsibility for day-to-day operations, is a developer and promoter of the UDWC’s programs, is a fundraiser and spokesperson, and is a community leader on issues in the watershed. The Executive Director is charged with ensuring that the organization achieves its mission, maintains financial viability, and functions as an innovative and effective watershed restoration and education partner. For full job description, click HERE.

Trainings & Workshops Early December

DECEMBER 12th-13th, 2018: Colorado Rural Water Association 4-Corners Training with BioLynceus: Wastewater Operations. BioLynceus has partnered with Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah Rural Water Associations to provide two days’ worth of Wastewater Training!  CRWA will be on-site to help with the training as well as Rick Allen of BioLynceus and other State Association Staff.  This day of training will focus on wastewater operations, maintenance, biological nutrient removal, improving water clarity in wastewater, and system issues.  Lunch and snacks will be provided. Full details and registration can be found HERE.

DECEMBER 11th-14th, 2018: CIG Course at Butterfly Pavilion. Butterfly Pavilion will be offering a Certified Interpretive Guide course in December of this year. The Certified Interpretive Guide program is designed for anyone who delivers programs to the public. It combines the theoretical foundations of the interpretation profession with practical skills in delivering quality interpretive programming to varied audiences. If you work (or would like to work) at tour and cruise companies, parks, zoos, museums, nature centers, aquariums etc. helping visitors connect with our natural or cultural heritage this 32 – hour course is for you! For full info, click HERE.

MARCH 4th-5th, 2019: QUALIFIED MS4 STORMWATER TRAINING. In this two-day course we will cover all the topics to ensure that you meet the regulatory requirement to conduct Stormwater Inspections. We will review the requirements of your state MS4, Construction, and Industrial General Permits; we will discuss what it takes for you to be in compliance with the permits; we will discuss inspection techniques that will help you better evaluate whether or not other permittees are in compliance with their permits – and how that influences your permit compliance; and, yes, we will discuss BMPs – which are best, when to use them, how to use them, and how to know if BMPs are correctly installed and maintained. For details, including registration, click HERE.

MARCH 13th-14th, 2019: Water in the West Symposium. Join leaders from diverse disciplines to dive deep into water issues affecting the region and to explore innovative solutions to water challenges. The Symposium will feature nationally renowned speakers, and showcase the efforts of various sectors in leveraging research, innovation, education, and creative policies to address the most pressing global water issues. For more information, click HERE.

APRIL 1st-3rd, 2019: After the Flames Workshop and Conference.  Experts warn that year-round fire season is the new normal. Wildfire is no longer "if" it will occur, but rather "when." The impacts of a wildfire last long after the flames are extinguished. Community leaders, agency representatives, property owners, and anyone impacted by wildfire is invited to join this interactive workshop and conference featuring recovery experts and agencies engaging After The Flames.

Funding Opportunities Early December

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2019 Request for Proposals. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others, are soliciting applications for the 2019 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing fi​nancial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support.
Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, January 31, 2019. More details can be found HERE.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Nonpoint Source Program is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients OR protect waterbodies from degradation caused by nonpoint source pollution. Please visit: https://www.colorado.gov /pacific/cdphe/nonpoint-source -funding-opportunities for application and reference materials. Applications must be submitted to christa.trendle@state.co.us by February 4th, 2019 at 5pm (MST). Questions about the RFA should be directed to: christa.trendle@state.co.us until January 8, 2019 at 5pm (MST) and answers to those questions will be posted on: npscolorado.com on January 16, 2019.

Apply for EPA Brownfields Funding for 2019. With the passage of the Brownfield Utilization, Investment and Local Development (BUILD) Act, expect changes in Multipurpose, Assessment & Cleanup (MAC) grants. Call on CCLR -- we can help! The EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Request for Proposals is currently scheduled for release in late November or early December. Applicants will have at least 60 calendar days following release of this RFP to submit their proposal through www.grants.gov.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) is currently accepting research proposals for 2019 funding. Through these research projects and inventories the department can monitor management practices and improve resources and park visitor experiences. Collaborative research with other agencies is allowed (i.e. Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) of the City of Boulder and Jefferson County Open Space), and we will consider interagency grant proposals for joint funding. Full details can be found HERE.

The Costilla County Conservancy District is soliciting bids for: Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment. The hired contractor, in collaboration with the Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment Advisory Team, will assess the ecological condition of the Upper Culebra watershed by collecting, compiling, and analyzing data characterizing riparian habitat, geomorphology, geology, adjacent uplands, water infrastructure, the condition of aquatic habitat, flow regimes, grazing, forest health and water quality through the collection of new data and the analysis of existing data. The data will be used to create reports, which will be included in the final Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment Report. More information can be found on their website HERE.

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. 

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program - Implementation of Watershed Management Projects: In 2017, Reclamation started to provide cost-shared financial assistance to watershed groups to implement watershed management projects (Phase II). These on-the-ground projects, collaboratively developed by members of a watershed group, address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns, helping water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. Reclamation will award up to $100,000 per project over a two-year period. For Phase II projects, applicants must contribute at least 50% of the total project costs. Applications are due on January 30, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. MDT. For more information, click 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 list click  restoration funding opportunities.

Conferences & Events Early December

DECEMBER 12th, 2018: Third Annual Soil Revolution Conference in Boulder, CO. This full-day event will shed light on the past, present, and future issues surrounding soil health, including the history of global agricultural production, agronomic and financial benefits for today's producers, and the importance of creating resilient landscapes. Full event info, including registration, click HERE.

FEBRUARY 4th - 6th, 2019: ESRI Water Conference: Discover How GIS Helps Us Better Manage Our Most Precious Resource. Some of the topics that you can look forward to learning more about include; Big Data and Analytics, Watershed and Floodplain Delineation, Asset Management, Field Workflows and Mobile Applications. Post-Conference training will cover using ArcGIS for water utility workflows. Learn new best practices and solutions to strengthen your operations with the power of the ArcGIS platform. REGISTER HERE.

FEBRUARY 11th – 14th, 2019: Colorado Rural Water Association Annual Conference and Exhibition. SAVE THE DATE! This event will be held at the Crowne Plaza DIA Convention Center, 1550 East 40th Avenue, Denver, CO. For more information click HERE.

MARCH 17th-23rd, 2019: Sustainable Trails Conference - Grand Junction, CO. Don't miss this convening of international trail experts in Grand Junction, CO!  Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, concurrent and plenary sessions, and networking opportunities throughout the event.  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. The conference will give special consideration to abstracts that identify challenges, discuss solutions, and recommend a standard of practice. For agenda and abstracts, click HERE.

Announcements Early December

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Nonpoint Source Program is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that address water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients OR protect waterbodies from degradation caused by nonpoint source pollution. Please visit: https://www.colorado.gov /pacific/cdphe/nonpoint-source -funding-opportunities for application and reference materials. Applications must be submitted to christa.trendle@state.co.us by February 4th, 2019 at 5pm (MST). Questions about the RFA should be directed to: christa.trendle@state.co.us until January 8, 2019 at 5pm (MST) and answers to those questions will be posted on: npscolorado.com on January 16, 2019.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) is currently accepting research proposals for 2019 funding. Through these research projects and inventories the department can monitor management practices and improve resources and park visitor experiences. Collaborative research with other agencies is allowed (i.e. Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) of the City of Boulder and Jefferson County Open Space), and we will consider interagency grant proposals for joint funding. Full details can be found HERE.

The Costilla County Conservancy District is soliciting bids for: Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment. The hired contractor, in collaboration with the Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment Advisory Team, will assess the ecological condition of the Upper Culebra watershed by collecting, compiling, and analyzing data characterizing riparian habitat, geomorphology, geology, adjacent uplands, water infrastructure, the condition of aquatic habitat, flow regimes, grazing, forest health and water quality through the collection of new data and the analysis of existing data. The data will be used to create reports, which will be included in the final Upper Culebra Watershed Assessment Report. More information can be found on their website HERE.

new USGS study tackles the question of the direction of trends—upward or downward—for seven common chemical constituents in water and comparing the magnitudes of the concentrations to drinking-water benchmarks and nutrient criteria. Trends for ammonia, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, total dissolved solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus in more than 300 U.S. streams and rivers were evaluated for the period 2002–2012. Constituent concentrations were compared to established water-quality benchmarks such as drinking-water standards, non-health-based guidelines for taste, color, and odor, and nutrient criteria for aquatic life. For more information on their work, visit their site HERE.

Colorado Watershed Flood Recovery 2013-2018. Colorado took a holistic approach to stream system recovery following the 2013 floods by focusing on watershed scale recovery and incorporating long-term resiliency into every project. Download the program description handout to learn more about the State’s approach and the successful outcomes. Handouts and Project Success Stories can be found HERE.

MEETING NOTICE: Colorado Water Quality Forum 10-year water quality roadmap Workgroup involvement opportunity. The mission of the workgroup is to achieve solutions to Colorado water quality issues through communication and understanding, balancing use, and protection of the resource. Water Quality Members and Participants: The 10-year water quality roadmap is their plan to develop or revise water quality standards from 2017 to 2027. They'll hold quarterly workgroup meetings to discuss progress and encourage participation. Learn more about all the topics involved on the roadmap webpage, ROAD WEBPAGE.

  • Meeting 1: Completed

  • Meeting 2: Completed

  • Meeting 3: Completed

  • Meeting 4: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 (1-4 p.m.)

Anyone can participate! If you would like to receive future emails about the workgroup, use this online sign-up form to join the mailing list so they can stay in touch.