COLORADO WATERSHED
PROTECTION EFFORTS

This is an effort by the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute to facilitate sharing of information about local watershed protection efforts in Colorado.

The information provided below was obtained by survey and will be updated as information is received.

Any group that has information to add or to update a current listing can contact CWRRI at:

Phone 970/491-6308
or
E-mail
cwrri@colostate.edu

COLORADO WATERSHED ORGANIZATIONS

Download Colorado Watershed Initiatives Directory (Adobe PDF) provided by Stewardship Initiatives

Animas River Watershed

Animas River Stakeholder Group

Colorado River Watershed

Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species
Eagle River Watershed Plan
North Fork River Improvement
Roaring Fork Conservancy                                                                                                                                                Fruit-growers Coalition

Dolores River Watershed

San Miguel River Coalition

Rio Grande Watershed

Alamosa Watershed Project

South Platte River Watershed

Big Thompson Watershed Forum
Clear Creek Watershed Forum
Big Dry Creek Watershed Association
Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP)
Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative
Friends Of The Poudre

Animas River Watershed 

Animas River Stakeholder Group

Contact:
Bill Simon
Phone: (970) 385-4138
E-mail: wsimon@frontier.net
or
Sara Staber
Phone: (970) 259-0238
E-mail: sfsh20@frontier.net

Mission/Purpose:
The Animas River Stakeholders Group has the mission of improving water quality and aquatic habitats in the Animas River watershed through a collaborative process designed to encourage participation from all interested parties

Participants:
The Stakeholder Group has approximately thirty-five active members including representatives from the towns of Silverton and Durango, local landowners and mining companies, Southwest Water Conservancy District, San Juan County, Colorado Department of Health, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, Colorado Division of Wildlife, US Forest Service, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Bureau of Mines, US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Land Management, US Environmental Protection Agency, environmental organizations and general public. The Southern Ute Tribe has also participated.

Funding:
The Stakeholder Group is funded by a grant under section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, federal agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, are contributing services and technical support for monitoring and water quality investigation. A local landowner contributed funds to implement the first pilot project. Funding for the Colorado Center for Environmental Management comes from a U.S. Department of Energy grant for the purpose of establishing collaborative approaches to environmental cleanup.

Accomplishments:

·         Collecting and consolidating river monitoring data

·         Assessing the impact of contaminants and channel modifications on aquatic life

·         Evaluation the feasibility of cleanup actions formulating plans for improvement

Sources:

·         Website:  www.waterinfo.org/args

·         Report:

University of Colorado-Natural Resources Law Center, (1996), The Watershed Source Book: Watershed-Based Solutions to Natural Resource Problems.

Colorado River Watershed

Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species

Contacts:
Pat Nelson
Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486, DFC
Denver, CO

Phone:(303) 236-2985
Fax:(303) 236-5262

Mission/Purpose:
Four fish in the Colorado River system are listed as endangered under the Endangered Speices Act.  The Recovery Program attempts to resolve the conflict between restoring and maintaining river flows for fish habitat and diverting the water for human uses. This program is a cooperative agreement between Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Participants:
Participants in the Recovery program include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration, and Colorado River basin water users and conservation organizations.

Funding:
The Recovery Program operates on an annual budget obtained from federal, state, and private contributions. The BOR, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the states of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming provide funding.

Accomplishments:

·         Protect sufficient instream flows to support self-sustaining populations of the fishes.

1.        Up to 6,000 acre feet of water became available in 1998 from Wolford Mountain Reservoir.

2.        The Colorado River Water Conservation District has written a draft water right decree for the instream flow filings for the base flow water rights on the Colorado and Yampa Rivers.

3.        A water demand study has been completed and is available.

·         Provide or enhance habitat for the rare fishes through habitat development or management measures.

1.        A fish passage structure was constructed at the Grand Valley Irrigation Company Diversion Dam.

2.        Studies to determine if the Tusher Wash Diversion Dam on the Green River is a barrier to upstream movement of endangered fish.

3.        Thirty-two sites have been screened for contaminants.

4.        Floodability assessments have been conducted on 28 sites.

·         Produce a sufficient supply of hatchery rearing fish to support research and recovery activities. Conserve the genetic diversity present in the wild.

1.       During Fall 1997, 3,732 razorback suckers ranging in sizes were stocked in the Gunnison River.

2.       In October 1997, 2,164 age-0 and ten age-1 bonytails were stocked in Professor Valley near Moab, Utah.

3.       Construction of 10 new 1/2 acre ponds at the Ouray National Fish Hatchery.

·         Minimize the impacts of nonnative fishes and incidental take associated with sport fishing on the endangered fishes.

1.       Removal of nonnative catfish, carp, and centrarchids on the Green River.

2.       Removal efforts in Yampa Canyon in Dinosaur National Monument and nursery habitats along the Green and Colorado rivers.

·         Support recovery activity, monitoring endangered fish status and trends, and maintain Recovery Program data archives.

1.        The program is being expanded to incorporate population estimates of humpback chub, Colorado squawfish, and razorback suckers. 

Sources:

·         Reports:

United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, (1998), Recovery Director's Update.

University of Colorado-Natural Resources Law Center, (1996), The Watershed Source Book: Watershed-Based Solutions to Natural Resource Problems.

Eagle River Watershed Plan

Contacts:
Tambi Katieb, AICP
Eagle County Environmental Policy Planner
P.O. Box 179
Eagle, CO 81631
Phone: (970) 328-8751
Fax:(970) 328-0349
Email:  eccmdeva@vail.net

Mission/Purpose:
The Eagle River Watershed Plan is an outline for a collaborative, local philosophy on protecting and improving water quantity, water quality, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and promoting compatible land use practices.  The decision to initiate the Plan was based on a common belief among local jurisdictions that the Eagle River and its tributaries are essential to our quality of life.

Participants:
The Eagle River Watershed committee includes representatives from Eagle County, municipalities within Eagle County, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, Colorado Water Conservancy Board, Eagle River Water and Sanitation, Colorado River Water Conservation District, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, Riverwatch, US Forest Service, National Park Service, Eagle River Environmental Business Alliance, Trout Unlimited Eagle Valley Chapter, Colorado  Dept. of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division, Gore Range National Science School, Vail Associates, and general citizen representation.

Funding:
The Eagle River Watershed Plan was funded by Eagle County and through a grant from the National Park Service. Eagle County and various committee members (inc. TU, BLM, USFS, CDOW) continue to fund implementation projects on a yearly basis. Grants from the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are being sought to sustain the organization as an incorporated 501c3 non-profit corporation and hire a full-time watershed coordinator.

Accomplishments:

·         Assisted in water conservation programming with the local water districts.

·         Assisted in Gore Creek monitoring and inventory with the USGS.

·         Produced an illustrative Best Management Practices guide for local valley contractors.

·         Cooperated with various regulatory agencies in revising drainage and erosion control standards.

·         Modified river drop structures to reduce hazardous boating.

·         Implemented a two year education action plan- including the publication of newsletters.

·         Committed the USGS and Eagle County to partnership over the next 3 years to produce a comprehensive study of the water quality and quantity issues facing Eagle County.

·         Assisted with creel census efforts in the valley.

·          Published an ‘Eagle River Public Access Map’, with cooperation and funding from other local and state agencies.

·         Drafted a river hazards inventory survey.

·         Improved a popular Eagle River existing access point with over $20,000 of County funds and donated materials and labor.

 Sources:

·         Report:  Eagle River Watershed Plan, 1996

North Fork River Improvement

Contact:
Jeff Crane
North Fork River Improvement Association
2950 L50 Lane
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 872-2433
E-mail:  cranehckl@rmi.net

Mission/Purpose:
The mission of the North Fork River Improvement Association is to meet current and future demands for traditional uses of the river while improving stream stability, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The organization empowers local citizens as the driving force behind resource restoration as an alternative to the traditional “top-down” governmental approach.

Participants:
Participants include the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Geological Survey, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado State Soil Conservation Service, Colorado Smart Growth Partnerships, Colorado Dept. of Transportation, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Delta Soil Conservation District, Delta County Board of Commissioners, Western Slope Environ. Resources Council, North Fork Water Conservancy District, Sheppard-Wilmot Ditch Company, and local homeowners, farmers, ranchers, environmental groups, recreationalists, irrigation companies, and gravel companies.

Funding:
This grassroots, community led non-profit organization is funded by membership fees, private and government agencies.

Accomplishments:

·         The North Fork Current, a quarterly publication to educate members on current issues and programs.

 Sources:

·         Report:
North Fork River Improvement Association Brochure

·         Newsletter:
North Fork Current

Roaring Fork Conservancy

Contact:
Rick Lofaro
Executive Director
Roaring Fork Conservancy
P.O. Box 3349
Basalt, Colorado 81621-3349
Phone: (970) 927-1290
Fax: (970) 927-1264
E-mail:  info@roaringfork.org
 

Mission/Purpose:
The Roaring Fork Conservancy is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in Basalt, Colorado. The Conservancy was founded in December 1996 for the purpose of protecting and preserving the ecosystems of the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries

Participants:
Participants in the Roaring Fork Conservancy include local water users and government agencies.

Funding:
Funding for the Conservancy comes from grants, private donations, and seed money from the Roaring Fork Club. The Conservancy is working with the Valley's guide shops, local fishermen, and boaters to solicit their ideas and set up a donation program for river users to help promote stewardship.

Accomplishments:

·         Riparian eco-system educational programs implemented in the Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs schools

·         A conservation easement of a major blue heron rookery secured in the Roaring Fork Valley for monitoring and educational purposes

·         Wetland open spaces planted in Basalt and Aspen

·         Coordinated valley-wide water quality monitoring

·         Sponsored a Basalt Arbor Day celebration, revegetation program

·         Provided aquatic educational component of Basalt River Days

·         Served as a referral agent for local governments regarding watershed issues

Sources:

·         Newsletter:
River Currents

·         Website:  http://www.roaringfork.org/

Fruit-growers Coalition

Contact:
Delta Soil Conservation District
690 Industrial Blvd.
Delta, Colorado
Mary K. Kent, District Manager
Phone: (970) 874-5726, ext. 111
Fax: (970) 874-7768

Mission/Purpose:
The Fruitgrowers Coalition hopes to eliminate or reduce the source of fecal coliform pollution in Fruitgrowers Reservoir to meet recreational class I and agriculture water quality classifications, while maintaining reservoir capacity, intrinsic value, and existing wildlife resources.

Participants:
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Orchard City Irrigation District, the towns of Cedaredge and Orchard City, the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Delta Soil Conservation District, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the CSSCB are participants in the Fruitgrowers Coalition.

Funding:
The Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Delta Soil District provide funding for this coalition.

Sources:

·         Report:  EPA 104(b) (3) Grant Proposal

Dolores River Watershed

San Miguel River Coalition

Contact:
Linda Luther
San Miguel Watershed Coalition
P.O. Box 283
Placerville, CO 81430
Phone: (970) 728-4364
Fax: (970) 728-4638
E-mail:  linda_luther@infozone.org

Mission/Purpose:
As stewards of some of the world's highest, wildest and most beautiful lands, the San Miguel watershed Coalition will develop, through a process of collaborative planning and substantive public involvement, a watershed management plan which conserves and enhances the natural, cultural, recreational, social and economic vitality of our communities. The Coalition will guide the plan's implementation and address ongoing issues in the watershed.

Participants:
National Park Service Rivers, Trails, & Conservation Assistance Program, Telluride Institute, US Bureau of Land Management, US Environmental Protection Agency, San Miguel County, US Forest Service, Town of Telluride, The Nature Conservancy, Town of Mountain Village, Town of Norwood, Montrose County Town of Naturita, Town of Nucla, Town of Ophir, Town of Sawpit, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, US Geological Survey, and the US Natural Resources Conservation Service are participants of the San Miguel Watershed Coalition.

Funding:
Financial assistance has been received from the US Environmental Protection Agency, BLM, NPS, US Forest Service, San Miguel County, and the Telluride Institute, the vast majority of the work effort has been donated to the project as in-kind staff time from a variety of agencies area elected officials and local staff.

Accomplishments:

·         Donated work estimated at $500,000 in hours, travel, supplies, general process support and on-the-ground projects.

 Sources:

·         Website:  www.co.blm.gov/ubra/coalition.htm

Rio Grande Watershed

Alamosa Watershed Project 

Contact:
Jeff Stern
Alamosa Watershed Coordinator
Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 255
La Jara, CO 81140
(719) 274-5868

Mission/Purpose:
The vision statement for the Alamosa Watershed project is to identify the diverse interests and resource issues of concern to all users of Watershed. Particular areas of interest include river restoration/bank erosion/loss of livestock water, wildlife and fisheries, water quality, noxious weeds, roads and traffic, spring flooding and water storage, irrigation diversions, economics, and public education.

Participants:
The watershed steering committee consists of local landowners, water users and local government officials. Agencies include Woolgrowers, Capulin, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conejos County Soil Conservation District, Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, grazing, domestic water users, local schools, Alamosa-La Jara Water Conservancy District, US Forest Service, US Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife, Adams State College, Colorado State University, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, the San Luis Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Citizens for San Luis Valley Water.

Funding:
Funding for Alamosa River News & Notes is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Accomplishments:

·         Development of a plan for stabilizing the Alamosa River

·         Quarterly newsletter, Alamosa River News & Notes

       Sources:

·         Newsletter:  Alamosa River News & Notes, Spring and Fall 1998

"Meeting set to present plan for Alamosa River Restoration", Valley Courier 04/09/99              

·         Report:
Conejos County Soil Conservation District, (1997), Management Plan for the Alamosa River Watershed.

South Platte River Watershed

Big Dry Creek Watershed Association

Contact:
Jane Clary
Big Dry Creek Watershed Coordinator
Wright Water Engineers, Inc.
Phone: (303) 480-1700
E-mail:  krwright@wrightwater.com

Mission/Purpose:
The mission of the Big Dry Creek Watershed Association if to develop a sound scientific understanding of water quality, flow, aquatic life and habitat conditions in the Big Dry Creek watershed for the purposes of 1) environmentally responsible decision-making with regard to land and stream uses and 2) identifying measures to improve and protect stream conditions.

Participants:
The Big Dry Creek Partnership, which includes the Cities of Broomfield, Northglenn and Westminster and Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (Rocky Flats), started the Watershed Association. In addition to the initial four Partnership members, representatives of the City of Thornton, City of Arvada, Weld County, Jefferson County, Big Dry Creek Ditch Company, FRICO, local farmers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are also participating in the Association. The Association hopes to expand to include representatives of community groups, schools, developers and other businesses and industries.

Accomplishments:

·         Master drainage plans have been completed in the watershed which identify existing and proposed patterns of stormwater flows (i.e., outfalls, flow volumes, etc.). This information can be helpful in designing stormwater quality monitoring programs and developing an overall understanding of stormwater issues in the watershed.

·         Documented pollutant sources

Sources:

·         Website:  www.ci.broomfield.co.us/broomfield/wastewater/bigdrycreek.html

Big Thompson Watershed Forum

Contacts:
Rob Buirgy
1669 Eagle Drive
Loveland, CO 80537-6225
Phone: (970) 669-5395
Fax: (970) 667-1628

Mission/Purpose:
The mission of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum is to assess and protect the quality of water in the Big Thompson Watershed.  The goals of the organization are to provide a forum that fosters stakeholder teamwork in conducting watershed assessment, identify priority protection measures, educate affected interests, and promote voluntary practices that protect the Big Thompson Watershed and the quality of its water.

Participants:
Participants include Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative, Boyd Lake State Park, Brown & Caldwell, Camp, Dresser and McKee, Central Weld County Water, CH Diagnostics, the cities of Boulder, Broomfield, Fort Lupton, Longmont, Berthoud, and Lyons, State Departments (Education, Transportation, Public Health and Environment, Rural Water Association), ERO Resources Inc., Getz Communications Inc., Hach Company, HDR Engineering, Horseshoe Lake Yacht Club, Infovision, Interface, League of Women Voters, Loveland Reporter Herald, McCulley, Frick & Gillman, Rocky Mountain National Park, NW Colorado Council of Governments, River Network, River Watch, Sandra & Company, Silver Lake Homeowners Ass., Stewardship Initiatives, Sylvan Dale Ranch, The Jensen Group, Thompson Water Users Ass., Trees, Water & People, Upper Thompson Sanitation District, US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, Wright Water Engineers, Colorado State University, and the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute.

Funding:
Funding for the forum is provided by the cities of Loveland, Greeley, Fort Collins, Estes Park, and Johnstown; the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Larimer and Weld Counties; the Soldier Canyon Water Treatment Plant; Little Thompson Water District; the CSU Cooperative Extension Service; US Bureau of Reclamation; and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Sources:

·         Reports:

The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, (1998), The Future of Water Quality: 1998 Annual Report.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, (1999), Board of Directors Regular Meeting Agenda.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, (1998), Bylaws for Administration of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, (1999), Big Thompson Watershed Forum Memorandum of Understanding.
The Big Thompson Watershed Forum, (1998), Bylaws for Administration of the Big Thompson Watershed Forum.

Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative

Contact:
Jeff Writer
Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative
City of Boulder
4049 North 76th St.
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 245-8486
E-mail: writer@bvsd.k12.co.us

Goals:
The Watershed Initiative is working to educate the community on watershed issues, increase the opportunities for community involvement in monitoring and protection, and increase awareness and communication between users.

Participants:
Those involved include the Boulder Valley School District, US Geological Survey, City of Boulder, and local users.

Funding:
Funding for the Initiative is recieved from the Denver Urban Resources Partnership, US Bureau of Reclamation, and US Environmental Protection Agency.

Accomplishments:

·        The Watershed Community Education Project: in conjunction with the City of Boulder's Stormwater Quality Department, watershED was developed, piloted, and promoted to local schools and communities. The aim of watershED was to offer curricular activities for interested teachers, provide Boulder Creek watershed specific information on areas ranging from local ecology to water quality, supply teachers with needed supplies to initiate the program, and link interested communities members with schools and agencies performing water quality related tasks. Over 40 teachers and 10 community groups have been trained to use the WatershED program.

·       Watershed Forums: the US Geological Survey, City of Boulder, and BCWI combined efforts to produce a watershed lecture series. Lectures were scheduled monthly with the aim of educating the local community on the natural and cultural features of the Boulder Creek Watershed.

Sources:

·         Report:  Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative Information, (1999).

Clear Creek Watershed Forum

Contact:
Carl Norbeck
Clear Creek Watershed Forum Coordinator
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South
Denver, CO 80222-1530
Phone: (303) 692-3513
Fax: (303) 782-0390
E-mail:   cnrobeck@smptgate.dphe.state.co.us

Mission/Purpose:
The purpose of the Forum is to interest people in thinking about and discussing watershed issues. Particular areas of concern are wildlife habitat degradation and the general health of the watershed.

Participants:
The Forum Planning Committee includes approximately twenty-five members representing industry, municipalities, professional organizations, Central City, Black Hawk, Empire, Silver Plume, Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Golden, Arvada, Westminster, Northglenn, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, Clear Creek County, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Adams County, Denver Regional Council of Governments, environmental groups, local citizens, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service .

Funding:
The Environmental Protection Agency provides funding for the public conferences. Additionally, Coors funds a quarterly newspaper describing projects and proposals in the watershed.

Accomplishments:

·         EPA has identified twenty-five projects that were directly or indirectly initiated through Forum conferences.

 Sources:

·         Report:

University of Colorado-Natural Resources Law Center, (1996), The Watershed Source Book: Watershed-Based Solutions to Natural Resource Problems.

·         Website:  www.epa.gov/unix0008/cross/cbep/fact/cc.html

Friends Of The Poudre

Contact:
Chuck Wanner
Friends Of The Poudre
1242 W. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 484-0810
e-mail: cwanner@poudreriver.org
Website: www.poudreriver.org

Mission: Dedicated to preserving the Poudre River's ecological, recreational, historic, and educational values.

Participants: Open Membership for those interested.

Funding:  Grants from non-profit organizations, membership donations, and event proceeds.

Accomplishments:  

• Helped establish Cache La Poudre- North Park Scenic Byway 
  

• Helped establish Poudre Heritage Area 
  

• Partnered with the City of Fort Collins to create Gateway Park