Job Announcements Early March

Colorado Open Lands is pleased to announce an opening for a 6-month Seasonal Land Steward based in our Lakewood, Colorado office. This position is a temporary, full-time paid position that supports the Land Stewardship Program. Colorado Open Lands holds almost 700 conservation easements across the entire state and is responsible for stewarding each one annually. As a member of this team, you will get to visit a wide variety of Colorado landscapes and habitats, learn from and observe land management in action, and participate in the continued preservation of Colorado’s land and water resources. The Land Steward’s primary responsibilities will be conservation easement monitoring, including both on-the-ground site visits and reviewing satellite imagery, as well as providing land management resources to landowners. Submit your application by March 5th, 2023.

Great Outdoors Colorado is excited to announce the opening for a land acquisitions officer at its office in Denver. The land acquisitions officer is responsible for administering numerous land acquisition grants awarded through GOCO’s various programs in cooperation with GOCO’s regional program officers. The position works with grantees to ensure the effective and timely completion of awarded projects. The land acquisitions officer is responsible for cultivating positive and productive relationships among GOCO staff members and grantees in service of GOCO’s land protection work. The position reports to the deputy director. Applications must be submitted by March 13th, 2023.

Water Education Colorado is currently hiring for two open positions.  The Membership and Development Manager will play a lead role in fundraising and resource development. This position’s primary responsibilities include supporting and growing the individual and organizational members who are critical to our work, as well as recruiting and expanding participation and financial support for programs through grants, sponsorships, donation campaigns and special events. Or do you thrive on financial and office management, human resources, and operational systems, providing a strong backbone for a nonprofit's ability to function smoothly and efficiently? If so, our Operations Manager role could be right for you! Applications for both positions will be accepted through March 14, 2023, or until the positions are filled.

Volunteers for Outdoors Colorado seeks a full-time Marketing & Communications Manager position who reports to the Development and Outreach Officer and is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies that assist VOC in achieving its mission; raising awareness of the organization, its programs, and initiatives; and building the VOC brand across Colorado. This is both a strategic and tactical position responsible for managing VOC’s two main websites, electronic communications, social media platforms, collateral materials, and media relations; and assisting with all aspects of planning and budgeting to successfully carry out the marketing function. The Marketing & Communications Manager works closely with VOC staff members as well as outside partners, vendors, contractors, and media contacts. Applications will close March 19th, 2023.

The Colorado Chapter is excited to announce that they are searching for the next Chapter Director. The Colorado Chapter Director upholds priorities across chapter programs and campaigns including conservation, legislative, equity and inclusion, fundraising, financial management, and has experience in operationalizing equity and organizational/staff management. Applications must be submitted by March 24th, 2023.

Mile High Youth Corps is seeing a Program Support Specialist. This position will perform a range of program support, recruitment, hiring and human resources functions for Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC). MHYC is a regional, non-profit, AmeriCorps affiliated organization that engages youth in jobs that help the planet and provide pathways to a promising future. Corpsmembers work on conservation and environmental stewardship projects throughout the Denver metro area while engaging in meaningful education activities. Applications close April 14th, 2023.

Colorado Association of Conservation Districts is seeking an Executive Director. The vision embraced by the CACD Board of Directors for the position of Executive Director is lined out in the job description details below. The new position description provides for Camp Rocky, Envirothon, and Bookkeeping to be outsourced, but retained as functional remote departments. In the short term, NRCS contract administration will be outsourced during the transition, but the long-term vision is to have that responsibility a focus of the ED position.

Conferences & Events Early March

March | Douglas Conserves Annual Plant and Seed Sale. All proceeds of this fundraiser support local conservation programs. Orders will need to be picked up on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock located at 500 Fairgrounds Road, Kirk Hall. This is a 1-day pick-up event and all products must be picked up on that date, orders not picked up are forfeit.

March 1st ,2023 | The St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District's Annual Water Symposium. Save the date!

March 9th, 2023 | Colorado's Proposed Stream Restoration Legislation, Part Two. During this legislative session, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is leading legislation on stream restoration to provide certainty on where restoration projects can occur. Audubon is partnering with DNR to host a webinar series, Colorado's Proposed Stream Restoration Legislation, to share information about this effort with water legislators and interested stakeholders. Join us for the second installment of the series on March 9 to learn about the long-term benefits of healthy rivers, the need for stream restoration projects, the need to provide clarity for restoration practitioners, and the legislation aimed at addressing these needs. Did you miss Colorado's Proposed Stream Restoration Legislation, Part 1? Read a summary of the event and watch the recording here.

March 11th, 2023 | Visit CSU Spur| The Greenway Foundation. Join GLC at CSU SPUR for their monthly "2nd Saturday event"! Get your hands dirty while checking out the rooftop greenhouses and green roof, explore water and its critters in the hydro building, see horses living on-site through the Temple Grandin Equine Center, and tour educational exhibits, & art installations.

March 18th, 2023 | Fly Fishing Film Tour. Celebrate all things fly fishing with an array of short films from destinations around the world, all while raising awareness about the Uncompahgre River Watershed. RIGS Fly Shop and Telluride Angler have joined forces to bring the 2023 Fly Fishing Film Tour to Ridgway! 100% of the proceeds raised from this event will be donated to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for projects slated to improve river health and habitat within the Uncompahgre River Valley. Come grab some great food, beer donated by Ouray Brewery and The Liquor Store, incredible door prizes, raffles, silent auctions, and more. Thanks to Alpine Bank for event support.

April 3-6th, 2023 | Colorado Rural Water Association Annual Conference.

April 10th & 11th, 2023 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference. This conference is geared toward professionals working proactively to improve wildfire outcomes in Colorado communities and landscapes such as Mitigation Specialists, Emergency Managers, Firefighters, Researchers, Foresters, Developers and Policy Makers. Anyone wishing to learn more about how they can reduce their community’s vulnerability to wildfire is welcome to attend.

April 10th-April 14th, 2023 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference. The Colorado Wildland Fire Conference is held every 18 months. This year our conference will be in Fort Collins, Colorado in April 2023; followed by a conference in the fall of 2024.The Colorado Wildland Fire Conference is geared toward professionals working proactively to improve wildfire outcomes in Colorado communities and landscapes such as Mitigation Specialists, Emergency Managers, Firefighters, Researchers, Foresters, Developers and Policy Makers. Anyone wishing to learn more about how they can reduce their community’s vulnerability to wildfire is welcome to attend.

April 11th-14th, 2023 | Colorado Wildland Fire Conference. Save the date!

April 12th, 2023 | Society of Wetland Scientists Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Meeting. Registration is open for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists annual meeting on April 12, 2023, taking place at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Visit our announcement page for the registration link and links to submit an abstract and sponsor the event. 

April 29th, 2023 | High School Spring Stewardship Day | The Greenway Foundation. Join for our annual Spring High School South Platte Stewardship Day! Teens along the front range will help clean our city and South Platte River habitats by picking up trash in and along the River at Johnson Habitat Park. Service hours can be provided. Registration will open on March 29th, 2023.

May 18th, 2023 | Trinidad Water Festival. Save the date!

June 12th, 2023 | Colorado Brownfields Conference. This year’s theme, Brownfields – Redevelopment Gold, explores the many opportunities associated with brownfields. With unprecedented levels of funding for brownfields cleanup and support and an ever-growing need for community revitalization and affordable housing, it’s time to cash in on the Redevelopment Gold! Everyone from community leaders and municipal staff to consultants and development professionals will be able to learn, grow, and network at this year’s conference. The Call for Sessions opens January 10th through February 26th.

Trainings & Workshops Early March

March 1st-April 1st, 2023 | Water Law | MSU Denver Online Course. Want to learn more about the laws, policies, and systems in place to protect the water in Colorado and throughout our country? Register for our upcoming online Water Law course. This course will explore the complex and muddy history of water rights in the U.S. and examine how population, climate, and geology have impacted this depleting resource. Learn directly from experts in the water industry about Colorado’s role as a headwaters state and the fundamentals of providing water to different communities.

March 28th, 2023 | Leak Detection System Development | Online. The philosophy of leak detection is a lot simpler than what most systems think.  By employing a more common sense and keep it simple approach, this course will educate the user on how to minimize risks and costs associated with selecting and implementing leak detection equipment or services.

March 29th -30th, 30th-31st, 2023 | Hydraulic Modeling Fundamentals Intermediate Hydraulic Modeling for Water Utility Distribution Systems. This course introduces hydraulic models for water utility distribution systems and covers how models support efficient short- and long-term water utility planning and operations. Attendees will learn about and engage in exercises that will cover the key uses of hydraulic models.

May 2nd-4th, 2023 | Cross-Boundary Landscape Restoration Workshop | Colorado State University.This multi-agency and stakeholder gathering will build on the first Cross-Boundary Landscape Restoration Workshop, which took place in March 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 2020 workshop directed and empowered attendees to use future workshops to address the issue of climate change on cross-boundary restoration, and innovative mechanisms for accomplishing restoration, from implementation approaches to financing options. The 2020–2022 fire years have only increased the need to broaden post-fire restoration knowledge to better align with expected ecological and social climate futures.

May 6th-7th, 2023 | Crew Leader Training | RMFI. The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training will take place Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th, 2023. Attendance during both days is required, this years training will occur on Pikes Peak - America's Mountain in the North Slope Recreation Area. Scroll down for more information. The Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training is an intensive weekend-long training for experienced volunteers who are interested in becoming certified Volunteer Crew Leaders. The training is hosted in partnership by Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Trails and Open Space Coalition, and the City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.

MAY 17thh-19th, 2023 | Scenario Planning for Urban Futures | University of Michigan. Scenario planning allows for forward-thinking urban plans that address external forces—such as climate change—that are not traditionally accounted for. The term refers to a family of different methods that include integrative, qualitative, and quantitative techniques tailored to different types of plans and projects. In the course, urban planning professionals will gain first-hand knowledge about scenario planning and concrete ideas for how to implement scenarios in their cities.

July 17th-August 3rd, 2023 | Earth Corps Field Studies Program | RMFI. Earth Corps is an 18-day field studies course that provides motivated, environmentally conscious undergraduate students the opportunity to live and learn in the incredible natural classroom of the Colorado mountains. The program began in 2002 and in 2014, it won the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Higher Education Award. The application deadline is April 10, 2023.

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 new education resource to learn about your watershed including mine reclamation, water monitoring, recreational use, water conservation, drinking water and waste water treatment and distribution, aquatic life, water scarcity, agricultural use, management, infrastructure, and more. Watch the video series here.

Master Irrigator Program- San Luis Valley. Over four sessions, this 32-hour program reviews water law and administration, history of water development, and gives participants the tools and strategies to improve water and energy use efficiency and conservation, soil health, and profitability on their operations. Those who complete the course will also receive a $2,000 stipend. To be eligible for this course you must farm in either Rio Grande, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Saguache or Mineral County. Details will be available soon 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.

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 implementation of the new Non-standard MS4 Permit. Please click HERE to access the material.

San Juan Expedition Avy Course based at Thelma Hut. The AIARE Avy 1 Hut Course is designed to give you a full introduction to backcountry travel. Based out of the Thelma hut on Red Mountain Pass, you will spend day and night with your peers and instructors learning the foundation of avalanche education. In a hut format, you spend more time skiing, more time learning from and observing your instructors, and more time in the mountains—all with lodging and food included. When you take your level one with San Juan Expeditions you will get hands-on experience analyzing the avalanche hazard and using your observations to make decisions in the field. Click HERE for more information.

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.

Colorado Master Irrigator offers farmers and farm managers advanced training on conservation- and efficiency-oriented irrigation management practices and tools. This program is the product of efforts led by several local producers, district management representatives, and others. Colorado Master Irrigator is modeled on the award-winning Master Irrigator program created and run since 2016 by the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in the Texas panhandle. Topic experts from Colorado and adjacent Ogallala states, serve as instructors over the 32 hours of the program. Colorado Master Irrigator's interactive class format is designed to encourage peer-to-peer exchange among participants and instructors, helping forge useful contacts that graduates can reach out to after their participation in the program. Click HERE for more information.

Silt Removal - Positive Impact on Crop Yields, Water Use Efficiency, & Irrigation Systems. Presentation from the 2021 World Ag Expo on sources of silt, its impacts, and current and new methods of removal. Watch the presentation here!

Announcements Early March

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) unanimously approved the finalized the 2023 Colorado Water Plan. First released in 2015, the Water Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide collaborative action from water partners, agencies, and Coloradans. From securing supplies that provide safe drinking water to improving farm irrigation to rehabilitating streams—the 2023 Water Plan targets specific, key actions to contribute to a stronger, more water-resilient Colorado.

Aurora Residents Restricted to Watering Lawns Twice a Week This Summer - or Face Surcharge

The Upper Division States acting through the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC) are extending the deadline for 2023 System Conservation Pilot Project (SCPP) applications to March 1, 2023. The extension will allow for additional outreach to Upper Division water users and Tribes, including new opportunities to address questions regarding the program and process. In addition, to more broadly capture innovative water conservation concepts and proposals from all water use sectors and Tribes, the States and the UCRC will consider applications received after March 1st on a case-by-case basis. Our goal continues to be to review and consider projects for 2023 as soon as possible. Projects may be contracted and implemented in calendar year 2023 on a rolling basis depending on the date the proposed project activity begins, and adherence to the criteria established by the Upper Division States acting through the UCRC.

Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) Colorado,ALCC is setting the standard for landscape maintenance in Colorado. This program will: Create a blueprint for all professionals who maintain landscapes, Increase water conservation and reduce plant loss and raise the level of professionalism. SLM’s foundation is simple –applying the right maintenance practices at the right time. The program consists of a manual outlining sustainable landscape management principles and practices, and a training class. Completion of the training class and a passing score on the exam following the class earns you the Sustainable Landscape Management certificate.  For a limited time, Northern Water Conservancy District is subsidizing a portion of the registration fee for participants, bringing the registration fee to just $65. View the training class schedule here.

Funding Opportunities Early March

The South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables are seeking grant proposals for the 2023 Cycle One Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Basin Grants. The Roundtables encourage projects of statewide and local basin significance to address existing and future municipal and industrial demands and meeting goals related to the long-term sustainability of agricultural economies and the natural environment. You can find the MRT and SPBRT guidelines here. The deadline for the Cycle One Online Proposal Summaries is March 15, 2023.

Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program is now open. To be eligible a partner organization must: be a non-profit organization or a government entity and provide a grant report detailing the use of funds at the closure of the grant cycle. Projects should be collaborative in nature and address the priority areas identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Matching funds​ (in-kind and/or cash match that are from sources other than CPW) are not required but strongly recommended in order to increase the impact of the Partners in the Outdoors grant funds. Partners can apply for a grant in an amount up to $10,000.The application deadline is Monday, March 20th, 2023

Water Conservation Field Services Program Financial Assistance for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023.  Development of Water Conservation Plans to meet state or local water conservation goals and water management improvements through system optimization review are supported by this grant. May 31, 2023  Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET,

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (department) opened the PFAS Grant Program on January 3rd, 2023. The grant program aims to help avoid future contamination and ensure safe drinking water for all Coloradans from PFAS chemicals. The department formed the PFAS Grant Program in the fall of 2021 to identify, assess, and reduce the impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment. Public water systems, local public health agencies, private well owners, tribal governments, other government entities, not-for-profit non-governmental organizations or non-profit educational institutions can apply for the grant. The deadline is March 31, 2023 and grants will be awarded by May 1, 2023, with a project start date in summer of 2023.

The Babbitt Center is pleased to announce its annual call for applications for Dissertation Fellowships. These awards support PhD students in the United States and Mexico who are conducting dissertation research on the integration of land and water policy to advance sustainability and resilience, particularly in the Colorado River Basin. For more information, read the application guidelines or contact Zach Sugg. The application deadline is March 1.

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 submittal. Rolling application deadline.

The Request for Concept Papers for AIM Grant Funding has been posted! Download the instructions and the concept paper from COCO's AIM Grant Page under How To Apply HERE.

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.

Applications are NOW OPEN for 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!

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.

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. Learn more about these opportunities here.

HUD: Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities. HUD is making up to $2 million available for Lead and Healthy Homes Research Partnerships and approximately $1 million available for Research Partnerships for other topics. HUD is interested in increasing participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) of higher education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in all program areas. To learn more, click here.

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.

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.