Funding Opportunities Early December

The Water Quality Improvement Fund provides money for water quality improvement projects using civil penalties from water quality violations. This includes stormwater management training and best practices training to prevent or reduce the pollution of state waters. The grants are an important assistance tool for communities working to improve water quality in their area. Small and economically challenged communities are given priority for the funds. Entities that pay a Colorado Water Quality Control Act civil penalty are prohibited from receiving a grant from the WQIF for a period of 5 years from the date of the payment of the penalty. Deadline for receipt of applications is December 4th, 2020 (2:00 p.m. MST). For more information click HERE.

The National Forest Foundation has partnered with Vail Resorts Management Company, Copper Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin Ski and Snowboard Area, and Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center to help maintain and enhance the quality of the White River National Forest and the visitor experiences. By combining Federal funds with individual donations voluntarily made by resort guests, the NFF Ski Conservation Fund™ is able to multiply the resources available to nonprofit partners to implement projects that directly benefit the White River National Forest. Grant applications are now being accepted for projects on the White River National Forest that implement action-oriented, on-the-ground conservation projects. The deadline for applications is December 16th, 2020. For more information and complete application instructions please review the program information HERE.

The Colorado Dept. of Agriculture offers the Noxious Weed Management Fund (WMF) grant program. The primary objective of the CDA Noxious Weed Management Fund (WMF) grant program is to provide additional financial resources to counties, communities, weed control districts, and other entities that are engaged in cooperative efforts to eradicate and/or contain state, regionally, or locally rare noxious weed species populations, and to prevent the spread of high priority weed populations. Applications are due December 18th, 2020. For more information click HERE.

CDPHE’s Nonpoint Source Program is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that restore waterbodies impaired by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients AND/OR protect waterbodies from nonpoint sources of pollution. The question deadline is December 7th, 2020. Answers will be posted on npscolorado.com on December 15th, 2020. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. January 4th, 2021. Get the application and reference materials HERE.

The Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department of the City of Boulder has funding available through its funded research program for scientific inquiry on OSMP lands. Preference is given to original proposals that address priority research topics identified by the department. However, all proposals will be considered based on their merits. For research that crosses the boundaries of OSMP and our neighbors (Boulder County Parks and Open Space and Jefferson County Open Space), we will also consider interagency grant proposals for joint funding. The maximum award amount for OSMP proposals is $10,000. Proposal deadline is January 11th, 2021. Full details are available HERE.

The National Forest Foundation is pleased to announce 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. There will be an informational webinar on MAP December 10th, 2020. The Round 1 Application Deadline is January 13th, 2021. There will be an informational webinar on December 10th, 2020. 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.

The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program at the Water Quality Control Division is requesting brief proposals for post-wildfire implementation projects to improve water quality impacted by NPS pollution. Approximately $200,000 a year is anticipated to be awarded for post-wildfire related implementation projects. Typical project budgets range from $100,000-$200,000. Projects can be phased over multiple years and/or can be part of a larger project with other funding sources. Please submit no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 15th, 2021. Get more information HERE.

The Bureau of Reclamation has published a funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I to develop a watershed group, complete watershed management planning activities, and design watershed management activities. Applicants may request up to $100,000 for projects to be completed within two years. A non-federal cost-share is not required for this funding opportunity. The funding opportunity is available on grants.gov HERE. Applications are due on January 19th, 2021 (4:00 p.m. MST). The Bureau of Reclamation will host an informational webinar on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. MST. Click HERE to join the live event or use the same link to watch a recording after the completion of the live event. If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria, click HERE and select CWMP Phase I FOA Inquiry to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators. Read even more HERE.

Denver Audubon's Lois Webster Fund (LWF) is now soliciting grants in support of Colorado non-game wildlife research, education, and conservation projects. The Committee is accepting grant proposals through January 31st, 2021. A maximum of $11,602 funding is available in the coming project year. Grantees will be notified by early March 2021 and the funds dispersed in time for the spring field season. Now available online are the LWF grant 2021 Guidelines, Requirements, and Application. The LWF Guidelines require partnering with other organizations. The grantee is expected to provide the leadership and coordination to obtain additional funding and to involve others.

Thanks to major support from Toyota Motor North America, International Paper (IP), and the Hilton Effect Foundation, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is pleased to announce $128,000 in grant funding to support public lands that have been impacted by increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing regulations in place, people are turning to the outdoors more than ever for exercise and rejuvenation. At the same time, the agencies and organizations responsible for maintaining public lands are hampered by reductions in staff, volunteers, and resources, leaving them ill-equipped to keep up with increased human presence in these delicate ecosystems on top of existing maintenance backlogs. In response, NEEF has established the Restoration & Resilience COVID Recovery Fund to help restore these special places by distributing resources and mobilizing volunteers. The deadlines for the next rounds of funding are February 1st, April 1st, and June 1st, 2021. For more information click HERE.

USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and private landowners through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to create, restore, and enhance wetlands. Click HERE for more information.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has launched the Resilient Communities Program (RCP). The $15 million program aims to fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic. It will help partners advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects in a manner that best reflects community needs and priorities at this moment in time. Capacity and operations support, stewardship efforts, projects that support community vitality, and urgent and emergent land acquisition opportunities will be considered. For more information, including eligibility criteria and application forms, click HERE.

The Geospatial Experience Center (GeoEx) at Front Range Community College was created to give students the opportunity to take on GIS projects and gain experience to prepare them for the workforce. GeoEx is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF), Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant. GeoEx can take on various project types, from digitizing to lidar analysis. Projects GeoEx can take are only limited by the experience of students and their availability. Projects can be completed at your location, the students’ home, or at school. For all projects GeoEx will ensure students can use their experience to further their careers. Students must be able to use what they work on with you in their portfolio. If sensitive data is involved, the student can create mock data to represent the original.  If you would like to ensure your project is a good fit for our students, become involved in FRCC activities, or have other questions, email GeoEx at skye.lewis@geoexcenter.org. Initiate a project HERE.

Service Objects, a company specializing in contact validation services, offers an in-kind grant program for organizations working to encourage environmental leadership and conservation. The goal for creating this unique program is to inspire and assist non-profit organizations that are working to promote environmental health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions and sound management of our planet's natural resources. Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded on an individual basis. Programs that may qualify for the grant include those that aim to reduce waste or assist in the aftermath of natural disasters. More information about the grant can be found HERE.

Colorado River Network offers funding from the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank. 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. The program is currently accepting applications. Full details, including requirements and guidance, can be found HERE.

Colorado Emergency Drought Response Program.-The Program provides up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants, for emergency drought-related water augmentation purposes to Colorado’s agricultural water users. For more information click HERE.

Colorado's Water Plan Grants fund progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. See the grant guidelines and apply HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) 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. Basin Account application timelines vary by basin. Statewide Account applications are brought before the board in March and September. For more information click HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board offers numerous loans and grants to water providers and other entities statewide for a variety of water-related projects, studies, planning documents, awareness campaigns and other activities. Click HERE to find out more about the CWCB’s funding programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency Water Finance Clearinghouse has access to hundreds of water funding opportunities that can be found HERE.

Trainings & Workshops Early December

DECEMBER 3rd, 2020: After the Flames: “Post-Fire Water Impacts” | CoCo | Webinar | 1:00-3:00 p.m. What does current science and experience tell us about the near and long-term impacts of fire on water quality and how to recover? Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. thanks the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy for their sponsorship, allowing them to offer this webinar at no cost. For speakers and registration click HERE.

DECEMBER 3rd, 2020:“Measuring the Impact of Shared Stewardship: Tools for Measuring Success” Peer Learning Session | National Forest Foundation | 12:00-1:30 p.m. MST. This is the fifth in a series of seven peer learning sessions on Shared Stewardship hosted by the National Forest Foundation in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Click HERE to register.

JANUARY 25th & 26th, 2020: Green Infrastructure: Concepts, Planning, Implementation, and Maintenance | EUCI. This course will be led by Brian Wethington, Green Infrastructure Project Manager, City of Denver and Tom Liptan, Green Infrastructure Consultant, LIVE Center and will provide a comprehensive overview of green infrastructure terminology, planning and site selection, design, modeling, construction, maintenance, and monitoring while providing a number of real world examples and looking at the barriers and solutions to green infrastructure implementation in your region. To view the brochure, click HERE. Click HERE to register.

The Clean Water Certificate (CWC) training program for workforce development provides high quality training opportunities that promotes job growth in the stormwater industry and delivers industry-specific, job-readiness skills and knowledge. Click HERE to learn more about this training program offered by the Center for Watershed Protection.

“Stormwater Treatment Systems and Green Infrastructure” | Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance. Educational video shot and edited by Jacob Erickson (Hermits Peak Watersheds Alliance PR Media Specialist), narrated by Aaron Kauffman of Southwest Urban Hydrology, and produced by Hermit's Peak Watersheds Alliance. Click HERE to view.

“Returning Rapids Project: A discussion with Peter Lefebvre and Mike DeHoff” | Colorado River Studies. The Returning Rapids Project seeks to document the recovery of river resources once inundated by a full Lake Powell, and now being exposed as reservoir storage declines. Peter Lefebvre and Mike DeHoff, principal investigators of the Returning Rapids project and professional river guides in Moab, Utah, are working to record these changes. They will share their preliminary findings and matched photographs in the talk. Watch the full video HERE.

The American Stormwater Institute, LLC now offers courses in a live setting and online 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.

“Episode 32: The River Is Who We Are - The Waccamaw Indian People and the Waccamaw River” | American Rivers | Podcast. Through displacement, genocide and enslavement, the Waccamaw Indian People sustain their river heritage. Join us today to learn more about the Waccamaw Indian People and their history with the Waccamaw River in coastal South Carolina. For the Waccamaw Indian People, layers of oppression eroded the relationship between people and the river they relied on and that coursed through their history, culture, and being. But the impacts of that displacement don’t just live in the past, and it is essential that the connection the Waccamaw Indian People have with the river is strengthened and reestablished for the future of their communities, and for the future of the Waccamaw River. Listen to the full podcast on Soundcloud HERE.

Job Announcements Early December

The CHATFIELD WATERSHED AUTHORITY (CWA) in Douglas and Jefferson Counties, Colorado requests the submission of Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) for legal support, associated with Colorado water environmental regulations. This Request for Qualifications solicits information that will enable CWA to determine the highest qualified Legal Consultant or Firm that may provide professional legal services for the Authority. This solicitation may lead to a contract to provide legal services to CWA. Submissions are Due by 12:00 Noon, MST on Monday, January 4, 2021. For more information you can read the full request HERE.

Crested Butte Land Trust is seeking a Director of Stewardship. The Director of Stewardship will be responsible for management of conservation easements, conservation property maintenance and special projects related to the protection of conservation resources. The Director of Stewardship will be experienced in budget writing, seeking and securing grants and leading the implementation of complex conservation related projects in the field. The Director of Stewardship will be a leader with strategic, creative and organizational acumen and will possess strong written and verbal communication skills. This is a full-time salaried position based in Crested Butte, Colorado reporting to the Executive Director. The closing date is December 4th, 2020. For more information click HERE.

Denver Audubon is looking for Education Interns—dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic individuals—to join the team of talented and experienced staff and volunteers for the winter/spring 2021! This internship will constantly adapt to meet COVID-19 guidelines per the CDC and CDPHE. Environmental education interns will be responsible for assisting with the preparation of and teaching environmental educational programs (about birds, habitats, watersheds, water quality, and conservation) for school-aged and/or high school students. The application deadline is December 11th, 2020. Please click HERE for more information.

The knowledgeable and passionate Colorado Watershed Assembly team is seeking a Program Assistant to facilitate numerous programs that encourage water conservation in Colorado. The program assistant will have the opportunity to work with various water entities, plan annual conferences, and assist watershed organizations in their missions. The chosen candidate will gain experience implementing programs and planning events, and will gain valuable insight into statewide and local watershed issues. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and questions to Diane Kielty (info@coloradowater.org).

Palmer Land Conservancy seeks a qualified and motivated individual to manage the Land Stewardship Program. The Land Stewardship Manager (LSM) builds and maintains positive relationships with landowners, ensures annual fulfillment of Palmer’s legal obligations for conserved properties, provides interpretation of conservation easement terms for landowners, identifies and responds to potential concerns and violations on conserved properties, and completes regular maintenance of stewardship records. Read the full job description HERE.

Colorado Rural Water Association is seeking an Energy Efficiency Technician, who reports to the Executive Director and Field Supervisor. The primary goal of the Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider is to assist rural and small community water and wastewater utility systems in evaluating their energy needs, consumption and costs. Recommending measures to reduce energy consumption and identifying potential funding sources for improvements. For more information click HERE.

Adams County is looking to fill a brand new Senior Parks and Trails Ranger position (full-time, permanent) in Brighton, CO. This function is expected to identify and resolve problems that arise in the normal course of the work.  These efforts are to provide education, safety and well-being for those who visit and utilize the open spaces, trail system, and park facilities managed by Adams County. For more information and to apply, click HERE.

Aurora Water is looking to hire a GIS Intern. Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of drinking water, sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, and water conservation, acquisition and development. Primary responsibilities will include: Compile information for data requests, reports, summaries, etc, assist with updating utility extension agreement records and documentation, execute Map Requests, assist with field data collection, create new GIS data from plans, field information, research, or other various sources. No Closing Date. For more information contact Doug Rulison at drulison@auroragov.org and visit HERE.

ICON Engineering is currently looking for a Stormwater Project Engineer / Manager & Engineer Intern. ICON Engineering is one of Denver’s most reputable planning, design, and project management civil engineering firms. They offer engineering services for stormwater management, stream restoration, flood mitigation, drainage, parks and trails. The engineer will assist in and/or manage the planning, design, and production of engineering documents for a variety of projects to include stormwater and drainage design, stream restoration, floodplain analysis, detention and water quality, roadways, parks and trails.Visit the Careers page HERE.

Conferences & Events Early December

DECEMER 1st, 2020: Ideas RoundUP: Conversations on Urban Planning, Land Use, Pandemic & Race | Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute | 10:00-11:30 a.m. The RMLUI Ideas RoundUP series is an effort to explore shared land use agenda, taking into account what we are learning about our policies as they relate both to containing a pandemic and promoting a socially just and sustainable community. These conversations are intended to be opportunities for the entire RMLUI community―land development professionals, community leaders, academic partners, and students―to come together in thoughtful dialogue about the problems we’re facing and how we improve the land use system to better address the inequities in our society. Visit the RMLUI web page to learn more about upcoming events in the series.

DECEMBER 5th, 2020: Celebration of the Prairie 2020 | Southern Plains Land Trust | Virtual | 7:00 p.m. When you purchase a Prairie Partner ticket, you will also receive a delicious, gourmet vegan package for two and a complimentary bottle of TrueMyth wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, your choice) to enjoy during the program. Join the party. For more information click HERE.

DECEMBER 6th, 2020: Virtual Wreath Making | Poudre River Watershed Coalition | 2:00-3:30 p.m. Join the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) and make a custom wreath in the comfort of your own home! PRWC will provide a curated box of wreath making supplies, materials, and accents. (Boxes will be available for pick up in Fort Collins or Metro Denver.) Choose from Neutral, Moody, or Traditional accents to add your own style. Proceeds from the virtual event go to support Poudre River watershed restoration. Gather virtually for a group wreath making session with special instruction from florists at Lace and Lilies. Attendees will also hear an update from the team at CPRW on the Cameron Peak Fire impacts on the Poudre River watershed. CPRW is currently running an end of year campaign that will directly support its efforts to combat the devastation left from the Cameron Peak Fire. For more information and registration click HERE.

DECEMBER 8th-9th, 2020: “Ecotypes: Research, Policy & Practice” | Southern Rockies Seed Network's 2020 Virtual Conference | 9:00-11:30 a.m. Dr. Francis Kilkenny, research biologist with the USFS, will deliver the keynote address: Whither provenance? The science of restoration seed-sourcing in a changing world. With the recent fires still smoldering under a blanket of snow and restoration plans being considered, the presentations this year couldn’t be more pertinent. To register click HERE.

DECEMBER 12th, 2020: Virtual Trivia Night | Poudre River Watershed Coalition | 6:00 p.m. Have fun from the comfort of your own home and support watershed restoration! Each ticket includes access to the virtual event for one computer/household. Attendees can answer trivia questions for a chance to win great prizes, while also hearing an update from the team at CPRW on the Cameron Peak Fire impacts on the Poudre River watershed. CPRW is currently running an end of year campaign that will directly support its efforts to combat the devastation left from the Cameron Peak Fire. Tickets are $20. For more information and registration click HERE.

FEBRUARY 23rd, 2020: An Evolving Climate: Frameworks for sustainability and social inclusion | Land and Water Summit | Virtual. The goal of the Land and Water Summit is to bring together design professionals, construction and management companies, agencies, farmers, artists, teachers, hydrologists, ranchers, climatologists, wildlife advocates, homeowners, and policy makers to find sustainable ways to protect and share our state’s water and resources. For more information click HERE. To register click HERE.

JULY 19th-21st, 2021: American Water Resources Association (AWRA) 2021 Land and Water Policy Specialty Conference | Denver. The 2021 Summer Specialty Conference will bring together stakeholders from various types of organizations and professions across multiple disciplines to address the design, integration, and implementation of the programs and research necessary to improve the connection of land and water planning and policy. For more information click HERE.

OCTOBER 11th-13th, 2021: Colorado Open Space Alliance Conference | Grand Hyatt in Vail.

DECEMBER 1st & 2nd, 2021: South Platte Forum. Check back for registration opening in 2021. Read more HERE.

Announcements Early December

The Call for Special Session Proposals for the AWRA Specialty Conference: Connecting Land and Water for Healthy Communities has been extended to February 1st, 2021. Hopefully this is a little relief for those who were planning to submit and will be incentive for those who wanted to submit but couldn’t due to the tight timeline.

Applications for 2021 Growing Water Smart Workshops in Colorado and Arizona are open. The virtual workshops will be held over 3-4 days; mid-May for Colorado and mid-June for Arizona. This physically distanced but highly collaborative workshop provides a great opportunity for counties, municipalities, or regions to link water and land use, create an action plan, and qualify for technical assistance to support your path forward. There is no cost to participating teams. Contact climateresilience@sonoraninstitute.org with questions. Applications are due by February 15th, 2021.

The City and County of Denver, Denver Water, Mile High Flood District, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, the Greenway Foundation, and CWCB have come together to create Denver's first One Water Plan. Complete and share this short survey to inform the process and help ensure the Denver One Water program meets the goals and needs of the community. The survey will remain open until early 2021.

Green Team Academy is offering complimentary sponsorships for the 2020 International Climate Action Challenge to Climate Reality Chapters and Branches. The challengers are planting trees, doing cleanups, and transforming their communities! To get started click HERE and request a free Level 2 Sponsorship as a Climate Reality Chapter or Branch.

Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT) is pleased to announce the completion of a Conservation Easement on the 71-acre Sacramento Creek Ranch located near Fairplay within MALT’s Red Hill to Hoosier Pass Priority Area! The Conservation Easement on Sacramento Creek Ranch will prevent the future subdivision of the property and protect critical open space and wildlife habitat for Elk, Moose, Black bear, Beaver and numerous other species that call this area home. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program has identified this region as having “Very High Biodiversity Significance." In addition to critical biodiversity protection, the Conservation Easement specifically ensures use of the property for public recreation, education and research purposes. If you are interested in visiting Sacramento Creek Ranch or learning more about the public uses, please send an email to malt@savetheland.org or call the MALT office at (303) 679-0950.

The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) has just recently released the 2020 Forest Action Plan (FAP), which is a road map to improving forest health across Colorado in the next decade.  The 2020 FAP was created by forestry experts at the Colorado State Forest Service.  This in-depth analysis of forest trends offers solutions and guidance for improving forest health and ensuring our forests — and the resources they provide — persevere for future generations.  This plan will also help assist decision-makers in investing in our forests where these investments will make the most difference.  If you would like to take a look at the plan please click HERE and HERE. Additionally, there is a Forest Action Plan app on the CSFS Forest Atlas page HERE. This is an easy, interactive tool that drills down into the themes of the Forest Action Plan and is an important tool to understand and know how to use.  For CSFS and federal grants, partners will need to show where their project fits in relations to the FAP and will need to convey how the projects that they are proposing ties into this plan.

2020 has seen the three largest wildfires in Colorado history and over 600,000 acres have burned across the Centennial State. Along with many of the obvious concerns that come with fires of such magnitude, additional concerns have been expressed towards the impacts on wildlife. In the newest podcast episode, Colorado Outdoors dives right into the pros and cons of wildfire as it relates to wildlife, aquatic life, and the health of our forests. Providing the context on the subject is senior wildlife biologist for CPW's northeast region Shannon Schaller, northeast region senior aquatic biologist Jeff Spohn, and Casey Cooley, who is CPW's forest habitat coordinator. Listen to the podcast HERE.

Help plan your public areas. Arapahoe County Open Space is currently looking for input online, on potential priorities for Arapahoe County’s Open Spaces program for the next decade and beyond. Please take a few minutes, if you haven’t already, to complete a questionnaire and review an interactive tool that overlays these potential priorities on a map of the County. Click HERE to take the survey.

At the opening of Fishers Peak State Park in Trinidad on Friday, October 30th, Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order creating the Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is ending the emergency public fish salvage that was enacted at Barr Lake State Park back on September 4th. Anglers are expected to revert to fishing under the normal regulations. 

We are so happy to share Colorado Water Conservation Board’s newest podcast, "3 Birds and a Fish," highlighting the importance of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. To listen to this podcast on various platforms, click HERE.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is one of the most comprehensive environmental statutes in the United States. It seeks to protect both human health and ecological resources, to maintain healthy waters, and to restore waters that are impaired. The Clean Water Act provides states and authorized tribes with the tools and guidance necessary to protect and maintain healthy waterways in cooperation with federal government agencies. To explore River Network’s Clean Water Act resources, click HERE.

Arapahoe County Open Spaces is in an exciting stage of 2020 master planning efforts!

  • Youth Adventure Workbook- This ACTIVITY GUIDE will help bring some structure and joy amid these challenging times. Please share with kids, educators and parents, and help encourage submissions. Return the completed workbook by November 6th (extended deadline) to receive a free bike frame bag from ACOS.

  • LISTEN Engagement Report- This DOCUMENT summarizes what has been learned to date from the community and County stakeholders through a variety of surveys, interviews, and targeted discussions during the LISTEN public engagement phase (spring/summer 2020).  

  • 2020 Master Plan Survey Results- This REPORT is for people who want to dive deeper into public survey data and key findings from the 2020 master plan survey. A SUMMARY is presented, along with the FULL SURVEY RESULTS.

The Denver Parks and Recreation Landscape Typology Manual is a system to identify landscape typologies and the health of individual typology sites. This is a great resource to evaluate and prioritize urban forest health efforts.

The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, proudly co-funded Swimming Upstream, a new StoryMap that highlights collaborative conservation efforts to protect endangered, native fish populations in the Upper Colorado River Basin and enhance critical streamflow management for recreation and agricultural needs in and around Grand Junction, Colorado, along a stretch of the Colorado River commonly known as the 15-Mile Reach. The StoryMap was developed by the Conservation Innovation Center for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Click HERE to access the map.

Share your drought related-stories! Faced with the challenge of traveling and touring in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Colorado Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources invite all who are experiencing the impacts of drought, particularly in agriculture, to submit their drought-related stories online through a dedicated “Drought Virtual Tour” website managed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.