Announcements Late November

Are you working to design, fund, or launch an innovative water program in Colorado? WaterNow is pleased to announce that its Regional Project Accelerator application cycle is open! Project Accelerator offers cities, water agencies, and other organizations the opportunity to jumpstart a sustainable water project. This application cycle will focus specifically on Colorado communities. Selected Project Accelerators receive free, hands-on support and technical assistance (up to 250 hours in 6 months) to make meaningful progress toward more affordable, community-oriented solutions. Learn more and apply now to receive support. Applications are due by December 13, 2021. Click HERE to learn more.

During the annual Water Quality Forum retreat, a work group was created to update Water Quality Policy 23, “Procedures for Conducting Assessments for Implementation of Temperature Standards in Discharge Permits.” Stakeholder engagement will begin in January 2022, with three meetings devoted to updating the policy and a fourth meeting to identify outstanding issues and possible solutions for implementing temperature standards into permits. Participation in this workgroup is open to anyone. To sign up, visit HERE and check the “Temperature Limits in Permits” box. Please sign up by December 15, 2021.

Colorado State Highway 9 Wildlife Crossings - The First Five Years- Researchers documented wildlife using underpasses and overpasses on State Highway 9 in Grand County. Watch how this mitigation project offers safe passages for wildlife while improving motorist safety too.

Denver Coalition Releases One Water Plan to Address Climate Change Impacts on Water. A coalition of agencies and organizations has reimagined Denver's water management practices through the holistic, unified, and sustainability-centered approach of One Water. Click HERE to learn more.

Colorado State University Colorado Water Center released a new paper providing a historical and legal perspective on the challenges of managing the Colorado River. "Quenching the Thirst in the Colorado River Basin" See the Executive Summery and Full Report 

Free Fishing Licenses For Disabled Anglers By State. This article contains a table of discounts and exemptions by state and a handy map showing this same info. Click HERE to read and learn more.


The Colorado Wastewater Utility Council (CWWUC) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants for a Coordinator to provide management and administrative services to the CWWUC.  The attached Request For Proposal provides prospective proposers with information regarding preparation and submittal of proposals for consideration by the Colorado Wastewater Utility Council. Click HERE to view.

SWEAP is gaining momentum thanks to individuals and organizations like you! Get involved in bringing water education to every community in Colorado by: Visiting the new SWEAP website | Downloading the SWEAP Executive Summary | Filling out a short form to share how you will bring SWEAP to your community and what resources would be most helpful | Signing up for email updates on SWEAP

Check out River Network's State Policy Hub - River Network for policies, interactive maps, resolutions, and plans related to drinking water.

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.

Conferences & Events Late November

NOVEMBER 17th, 2021, 5 pm- 6:30 pm MDT | Durango Water Professionals Happy Hour | Four Corners Water Center. The November Durango Water Professionals Happy Hour will be co-hosted by Colorado Water Congress POND (Professional, Outreach, Networking and Development) Committee! On Wed Nov 17, all will gather at the James Ranch Grill! No registration necessary, just show up. For more information click HERE

NOVEMBER 18th, 2021 | Big Snow Bash | Friends of the Yampa. There will be filming for a virtual audience and streaming pre-recorded content from RiverWonderGrass and guests. Buffalo Commons will be playing in sets with our Master's of Ceremonies (MC) talking in between. Buffalo Commons will play one extra set for all in-person guests. This year, the Big Snow Bash will be about music, community, being more intimate, and sharing the love of the Yampa River with the great Buffalo Commons. Come to have fun, eat, drink, talk, and enjoy music. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

DECEMBER 9th, 2021: South Platte Forum. Check back for registration opening in 2021. Read more HERE.

DECEMBER 9th-10th, 2021 | Colorado Ag Water Summit. Colorado’s Ag Water Summit brings together agricultural leaders, water professionals, elected officials, and decision makers to discuss agricultural water issues. We have a Water Plan, but where does Ag fit into implementing the Water Plan? We plan to discuss Ag’s role in infrastructure, storage, the Colorado River Compact, funding, and how to maintain a healthy Ag economy into the future. Register HERE. Read the full agenda HERE.

DECEMBER 14th, 2021, 9am-12pm | Confluence at the Confluence. Join virtually to learn about harmful algal blooms through a series of presentations and stories. We will hear from the Division, EPA, Aurora, Thornton, Metro Water Recovery, and more. Training units (TUs) will be available for participants. Click HERE for more information.

DECEMBER 17th, 2021 | Water Law in a Nutshell. Led by Mr. Aaron Clay, Attorney at Law and former 26-year Water Referee for the Colorado Water Court, Division 4 Continuing Education Credits Available: Realtors: 2 hours CE. After three SOLD OUT successful Water Law in a Nutshell courses this year, we are excited to present a second Level 2 short course specifically targeted to Realtors. If you had the opportunity to attend the previous Water Law in a Nutshell courses, this offering will cover more detail regarding topics such as: how to evaluate a water right; title insurance for water rights; listing agreements, disclosure/ due diligence, how to analyze different types of water rights and their treatment of deeds; ditches and ditch easements; and more!! Registration is $35.00, which includes course materials. **$60.00 total if you wish to receive Continuing Education Credits Pre-registration is required! To register or for more information click HERE.

Funding Opportunities Late November

Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Water Plan Grant Funding. Extra state stimulus funding in 2021: $20 million available in total for the July 1 & Dec. 1 applications

  • Water Plan Grant program funding categories include:

    • Water Storage & Supply 

    • Water Sharing Agreements

    • Conservation & Land Use Planning

    • Engagement & Innovation

    • Agricultural Projects

    • Environmental & Recreation Projects

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2021. Click HERE for more information and to apply.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: WaterSmart program (multiple funding opportunities listed below). 

  • Environmental Water Resources Projects

    • Environmental Water Resources Projects is a new funding category under WaterSMART. Projects that benefit plant and animal species, fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and ecosystems directly influenced by water resources management are eligible.

    • Project types can include water conservation and efficiency projects to improve the environment through quantifiable and sustained water savings, mitigation of drought-related impacts, and watershed management or restoration projects with a nexus to water resources or water resources management. Projects under this new category may be eligible for up to 75% federal funding. 

    • Applications are due December 9, 2021.

The Town of Telluride is pleased to announce the third round of Telluride Green Grants, a grant program that supports residents and businesses in reducing their carbon footprint. Grants of $500 to $35,000 are available from a total of $50,000 to qualified applicants. Applications can be found on EcoAction’s website HERE and are due to EcoAction Partners no later than December 17, 2021.

2022 RFA Release

Nonpoint Source 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. They are also accepting applications for watershed-based plans for either:

  1. Pre-planning for an EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan;

  2. Developing a new EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan; or

  3. Updating an existing EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan.

Please visit HERE for application and reference materials. The 2022 RFA Announcement is attached here as well. Applications must be submitted to cdphe_wqcd_nonpointsource+managers@state.co.us by December 31st, 2021 by 5pm (MST). Please direct questions regarding the RFA to Estella Moore at cdphe_wqcd_nonpointsource+managers@state.co.us by November 19, 2021 by 5pm (MST). Answers to those questions will be posted on npscolorado.comon November 22, 2021.

Upper Gunnison SPP Funding. Please see the attached solicitation for project proposals from CDPHE's Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division for the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The deadline for proposal submission is April 1, 2022.

Colorado Department of Agriculture Grant and Outreach Opportunities. There are many opportunities for engagement right now, we don't want anyone to miss out! Check out "CDA At A Glance" to find out what's going on this month.

The YWG BRT grant program has three designated award periods contingent upon available funding. All grant criteria is designated by the request amount of under or over $10,000. Please review the requirements and goals of the program to determine the appropriate application level for your request. These grants will be awarded in November, February and April depending on available funds. 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.

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.

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 Late November

DECEMBER 13th-14th, 2021 | Water Desalination Plant Design and Management | EUCI. The Water Desalination Plant Design and Management course is designed for engineers looking to understand the design and management processes of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants. Providing drinking water through desalinating salty water has become more common in recent years because of the unfortunate limitations of sourcing fresh water. Desalination plants can not only provide access to safe drinking water but can also help with irrigating plants and habitat protection. For more information click HERE To register click HERE.

JANUARY 19th, 2022 | Regulatory Compliance for Wastewater Systems | EUCI. The Regulatory Compliance for Drinking Water & Wastewater course covers US Federal, State, regional and local standards for regulatory compliance associated with drinking water and wastewater systems. The course will include overviews of regulations and standards, including not only those directly related to drinking water and wastewater quality, but also related areas such as treatment, chemical storage, land use, risk mitigation and infrastructure construction. To learn more and register click HERE.

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.

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.

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!

“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.

Job Announcements Late November

The Colorado Water Center (CoWC) at CSU is hiring a Director. The CoWC director is appointed by the President of CSU to serve as the chief executive, academic, and policy officer of the Center, reporting directly to the Vice President for Engagement and Extension. The director provides leadership and oversight of the Center’s portfolio of research, education, engagement, and service activities, which is developed and implemented in collaboration with CSU faculty and staff affiliates, partner higher education institutions across Colorado, and a variety of partner scholars, agencies, and organizations.For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Click HERE to view the full job description. Click HERE to apply.

The Salazar Center is currently accepting applications from Colorado State University students for two roles: a Communications Intern and a Graduate Research Associate. These are posted through Handshake (will need an account). Students studying and interested in conservation, natural resources, environmental studies sustainability, and public policy are encouraged to apply by November 19. Email questions to Catie Boehmer catie.boehmer@colostate.edu.

Colorado Water Trust is hiring a Water Transactions Coordinator. The Water Transactions Coordinator will evaluate, develop, implement, and steward flow restoration projects throughout Colorado using collaborative, voluntary, market-based approaches. S/he will work in a team environment under the direction of the Director of Programs, with a self-starting and entrepreneurial ethos. Please apply by December 1st, 2021. For the full job description and how to apply click HERE

Groundwork Denver is seeking a Water Program Director. Reporting to the Associate Director, the Director of Water Programs (“Water Program Director”) will oversee Groundwork Denver’s urban waters program, including but not limited to water quality testing, watershed improvements, youth employee engagement, and community education. The Water Program Director will align all activities to Groundwork Denver’s environmental justice strategy and vision. Click HERE to learn more.