Job Announcements Late May

The Metro Roundtable (MRT) is looking for new members. The roundtable, established through the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act to facilitate discussions on water management issues and encourage locally driven collaborative solutions, consists of up to 36 voting members who collectively represent the Metro region’s unique needs and water uses. There are nine basin roundtables that collectively represent the state's eight major river basins and the Denver metropolitan area. The Metro Roundtable is the only roundtable not designated out of a natural hydrological river basin. For more information, click HERE.

MAY 19, 2019: The Nature Conservancy is hiring a Sustainable Food and Water Program Director. The Sustainable Food and Water Program Director (Program Director) provides senior leadership and expertise to guide the development and implementation of strategies and projects that deliver important outcomes toward this future for Colorado and the nation. For more information, head HERE.

The Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District is hiring a Communications/Marketing Manager. This position will be the public face of Upper Yampa Water District. In this role you will prepare and deliver multi-media messaging that increases use of our services and educates their Public on the important water services the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District provides. Applications are due by the end of the day on May 24, 2019. For more information, click HERE.

MAY 22, 2019: The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Yampa River Fund Manager. The Yampa River Fund Manager will work with external stakeholders to develop, manage, and advance the Yampa River Fund in the Yampa River Valley. The role will require extensive interaction and coordination with water managers, conservation interests, and other stakeholders in the Yampa Valley including the Yampa/White/Green Basin Roundtable, the Integrated Water Management Plan committee, local NGOs, the agricultural community, municipal and county governments, and water providers. Click HERE for more information.

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.

MAY 26th, 2019: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) / Customer Service Intern with Colorado Parks and Wildlife at their Northeast Regional Office in Denver, CO. The purpose of the Youth Internship Program for Natural Resources is to provide and expose students and recent graduates to natural resource careers within Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The selected candidate will experience a variety of learning experiences (i.e. ride along with officers, wildlife surveys, educational activities, seminars, training’s) and gain a broader understanding of CPW and its various careers. This position is a great experience for those wanting to pursue a career as a District Wildlife Manager, Park Ranger, or biologist. For more information, read HERE.

The Yampa-White-Green Rivers Basin Roundtable is hiring part time, independent contractors to work as local point persons for water outreach and project planning within the Yampa River Basin. Water Segment Coordinators will provide direct communication with individual stakeholders and related groups. They will organize and coordinate related meetings while providing a direct connection to land owners and water right holders. Find the complete job announcement HERE. Please send Letters of Interest to michele@communityagalliance.org

The Greenway Foundation's SPREE program is hiring a Summer Educator to help facilitate Denver-based environmental education programs. 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. Learn more HERE.

Sheridan Inspire is a GOCO-funded coalition of education and outdoor activity providers. They are looking for a part-time park interpreter at South Platte Park. This position is responsible for preparing materials, marketing, and conducting public nature interpretation programs and camps for audiences of all ages for the Sheridan Colorado Inspire programs offered by South Suburban. Applications accepted continuously. Find more information HERE.

Jeffco Open Space is seeking a Multimedia Specialist. The Multimedia Specialist will capture and edit video and still photos to visually convey the Jeffco Open Space mission to the public. The Specialist will also monitor social media conversations for potential response, execute website updates, and contribute to the communications strategy and planning efforts of Jefferson County Open Space. For more information, click HERE.

Eagle River Watershed Council is seeking a Education & Outreach Coordinator. The coordinator will work collaboratively with our staff and board on our mission-driven programs with particular emphasis on our education and outreach activities. This includes serving as a resource to the community on topics pertaining to water quality, quantity, recreation, access, riparian health, wildlife and more. Our education and outreach opportunities attract diverse people, make complex topics understandable and inspire action, enthusiasm and involvement in local watershed issues. Find more information HERE.

South Platte Park (Littleton) is hiring a Part Time Park Interpreter for birthday parties and other coverage.  Position is responsible for planning and conducting nature-themed birthday parties for groups of children, primarily on weekends, and helping with occasional weekend coverage at Carson Nature Center, other public programs and community booth events.  Set up and clean up, lead activities, and demonstrate outstanding customer service and energy. Hosts can choose availability for 2 – 8 hour blocks of time on a per diem basis. Click HERE for more information.

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. (COCO) 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. (COCO) 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.

Work for nature this summer. USDA has various positions available. Browse Colorado summer job openings 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.

Trainings & Workshops Late May

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.

MAY 23rd, 2019  8 am - 3 pm: Workshop in a Box: Small Wastewater Treatment Systems – Trinidad. Attendees will be presented with the EPA Workshop in a Box. The class will include information relating to the efficient operation of Small Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Systems. The class will cover the operation of small mechanical systems, lagoons, and non-centralized systems. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in several activities. Participation in these activities is strongly encouraged. More info can be find HERE.

MAY 30th, 2019  8 am - 3 pm Water Treatment Operations – Grand Junction. The team from Filter Tech Systems will be on-site to educate attendees in multiple areas of water treatment operations. The day will begin with an overview of disinfection byproducts, treatment, and mitigation. Attendees will learn the basics of UV disinfection. Following the provided lunch, the class will focus on chemical feed systems and closing out the day with demonstrations on installation as well as proper operation and maintenance. Click HERE for more information.

JUNE 10th-22nd, 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 HERE.

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.

Conferences & Events Late May

MAY 18th, 2019: Free Birding Tour - Come see a variety of birds at one of RiGHT's conserved river ranch properties on May 18th! RiGHT board member and master birder Doug Clark will lead their annual bird watching tour on the ranch. The River Ranch is in Alamosa County, just northwest of Alamosa. Please call the office at (719) 657-0800 or email danig@riograndelandtrust.org to RSVP and get your directions to the property. Spots are limited because they want to ensure a unique, quality experience and there are only a few spots left!

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 Getches-Wilkenson Center 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, 2019: Get Outdoors Day. Right around the corner. Get Outdoors Colorado, Metro Denver Nature Alliance, and SouthWest Denver Coalition are joining forces to host Safe Summer Kick Off on Get Outdoors Day at Garfield Lake Park from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This FREE, family-friendly event is designed to promote access to healthy and safe outdoor spaces, support under-resourced communities, and celebrate nature exploration.

JUNE 11th, 2019: Colorado Water Trust Annual RiverBank Celebration 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.

JUNE 12th – 14th, 2019: Western Slope Rural Philanthropy Days in the 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.

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 20th, 2019: CSU Weed Network Tour. This is a free event that highlights cutting edge research conducted at CSU in collaboration with City and County Open Space managers along the front range, focusing on non-crop weed management and restoration of areas degraded by invasive plant species. The event is free including transportation and meals. For any questions, please contact Rachel Seedorf (rseedorf@colostate.edu) or Shannon Clark (Shannon.clark@colostate.edu). Register HERE.

JUNE 20th-22nd, 2019: Gunnison River Festival. The Gunnison River Festival (GRF) strives to educate water users throughout the watershed about the Gunnison River and put on a wide variety of events from concerts to whitewater races that appeal to all. The GRF begins on Thursday, June 20 with a Pearl Jam tribute band at the Ibar Ranch, a film festival on Friday, June 21, and the main festival event with whitewater races, educational booths, food, and more on Saturday, June 22nd. Visit their website 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.

AUGUST 24th, 2019: RiversEdge West hosts Raft the River. Join them and local river experts for their 5th Annual Raft the River fundraiser, a one-day float trip and dinner along the Colorado River in Fruita, Colorado from 3:00~7:30.  They'll be floating from Rimrock Adventures to the Loma Boat Ramp. 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.

Funding Opportunities Late May

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.

FY20 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Request for Proposals has been posted HERE. The deadline for proposals is 11:59 pm ET on June 10, 2019.

PeopleForBikes Community Grant Application—Letters of interest due July 26, 2019 — The PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program provides funding for projects that build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. Applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations, city or county agencies or departments, and from state or federal agencies working locally. Grant guidelines can be found HERE, and the online application can be found HERE.

The 2020 Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund eligibility survey process opened 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.

The National Forest Foundation is pleased to announce the that it is currently soliciting proposals for its Matching Awards Program (MAP). MAP is a national, competitive grant program that provides federal funds for on-the-ground projects benefiting America's National Forests and Grasslands. The program supports action-oriented projects that enhance outdoor experiences, forest and ecosystem health, and engage local communities in caring for their public lands. For more information, click HERE.

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. Look for the next opportunity in August 2019. 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.

Alliance for Community Trees—Request for Projects, no deadline— The Arbor Day Foundation is actively seeking proposals to fund planting projects around the country. Funding is limited to $15,000 per project, and budget information is required in the application. Applications should also focus on the issues the planting project will address, such as: urban heat island effect, natural disaster restoration, low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, water quality, air pollution, etc. More information on this funding opportunity can be found HERE.

Announcements Late May

MAY 21st, 2019: Reg. 84 Stakeholder meeting (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.) | CDPHE Main Campus, Room C1A. Attend 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.

There are two upcoming Informational Meetings for the South Platte Regional Water Development Concept (SPRWDC) study. The SPRWDC study builds on prior planning efforts in the South Platte Basin to develop a Conceptual Future In-Basin Multipurpose Project. Each of the Informational Meetings, scheduled for May 30th and 31st, will provide attendees the same information. Topics to be presented include: a brief overview of the project history; potential benefits of a regional project; and a description of SPRWDC study schedule and deliverables. In addition, attendees will be provided a description and explanation of the type of information the project team will be seeking from potential partners.

WHEN & WHERE:

Thursday, May 30, 2019, 10:00 am – Noon, Northern Water, 220 Water Ave., Berthoud, CO 80513. Please arrive early so you can register at the front counter

OR

Friday, May 31, 2019, 10:00 am – Noon, Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012, Aurora Room - 1st Floor on South Side

THIS FLYER includes additional information about the meetings.

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. The Request for Water Process website 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.

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

99% of Colorado is now drought free! Just two months ago, more than half the state was in drought – but now it’s almost over. You can thank our big winter for this rapid change in fortune. Read the full article HERE.

The Environmental Protection Agency has named four areas in the Animas River basin where it plans to focus on improving water quality for aquatic life. Read the full article HERE.

San Juan Mountain Association is looking for volunteers! Are you interested in either of the following?

  • Guiding Nature Tours at Purgatory Resort

  • Becoming a Wilderness Information Specialist

Learn more 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.

HB19-1264 - Conservation Easement Tax Credit Modifications has passed. The final vote in the Senate was 30-5 and the House concurrence vote was 50-14. Read more HERE.

MSI continues to work with the EPA and the Colorado DRMS to assess the type and extent of mining contamination within the Cement Creek and Animas River drainages. MSI field staff monitor draining mine sites within the Bonita Peaks Mining District on a monthly basis. Understanding the snow pack, maintaining local weather stations, monitoring stream gauges, and sampling seeps and springs in the area all contribute to understanding the interaction between groundwater, the region's complex geology, and the mining legacy of the BPMD. Learn more 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.

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.