Job Announcements Late February

The Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) is seeking an Executive Director. Key responsibilities include land and water programmatic leadership, fundraising (both donor and grants), financial management, staff management and development, board development, communications, and marketing. The Executive Director works under the guidance and supervision of the Board of Directors and collaborates with WSCC staff, board, and volunteers. The application deadline is February 21st, 2023 or until the position is filled.

The Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is hiring for a Conservation Easement Program Manager (CE Manager). The CE Manager will be a member of our Resilient and Connected Lands team, responsible for leading our land protection efforts in Colorado and the management and stewardship of our conservation easements and preserve properties across the state. The CE Manager will work with innovative and passionate colleagues, local landowners, and a wide range of partners to steward and monitor TNC’s conservation easements, efficiently resolve compliance issues, and manage the conservation easement program for Colorado. This an exciting position for an organized and detailed oriented individual that wants to make a significant contribution to TNC’s broader conservation goals. Applications will close on February 22nd, 2023.

Eagle Valley Land Trust is seeking a Community Engagement Manager. The Manager is responsible for developing and implementing the Community Conservation Plan. A strong writer, the Coordinator conveys EVLT’s message effectively. The Land Trust Alliance defines Community Conservation as “making land conservation relevant by land trusts engaging all people in their communities who have not traditionally been served by, engaged in, or moved by land conservation. The application closing date is March 1st, 2023.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS) Department, Water Group of the Agricultural Resources Division, is seeking to hire a Water Resource Technician. The Water Resource Technician will perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties in executing operations in the field, data collection, and maintenance for the water resources group.  Preferred candidates are those who wish to expand their knowledge of water resources management, work outdoors, take pride in their work, and have the desire to become engaged and invested in our organization and its mission. This position closes March 1st, 2023 at 11:59 PM

Organization Now is hiring a Project Manager - Energy & Environmental with Security Clearance.  Responsibilities include understanding of contract initiatives, identification and coordination of project resources, creation of progress reports, management against budget targets, communication with the client and other activities in support of overall project success. The PM will be responsible for ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments, goals, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements. Occasional support will be required in the response to solicitations and development of proposal material. 

Denver Parks and Recreation is seeking a Water Conservation Utility Worker to support Denver Parks’ Water Conservation Program and play an important role in maintaining Denver’s extensive system of urban parks that are essential to the community’s well-being. This individual will learn and practice a variety of irrigation maintenance and repair skills, and lake maintenance skills, providing them with a strong foundation to make upward moves within the Parks and Recreation Department.

Olsson is seeking a Licensed Water/Wastewater Engineer. You will perform various engineering and project management duties related to evaluating, planning, designing, and constructing water and wastewater infrastructure projects. You may assist with developing project scope and schedule, project design and documentation, modeling, and construction administration. You will have the opportunity to instruct designers and mentor less-experienced staff. 

Conferences & Events Late February

February 21st-22nd, 2023 | Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference. Registration is now open for the 9 th Annual Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference The conference kicks off at noon Tuesday, Feb. 21 with a luncheon and membership meeting. All are invited to attend. The schedule continues into the early evening the same day, resumes early morning on day two, and concludes mid-afternoon on day two.

February 22nd, 2023 | State Policy Scorecard for Water Efficiency and Sustainability. The five-year update to AWE's State Policy Scorecard for Water Efficiency and Sustainability has been released! This webinar addresses changes in state-level laws pertaining to efficiency and conservation. It also covers national trends and observations from the research, state-specific highlights, and perspectives from state-level officials.

February 26th, 2023 | Climate Action Sunday: Our Water, Our Future | City of Longmont. Join the City of Longmont for Climate Action Sunday: Our Water, Our Future, at the Longmont Museum at this free event. The purpose of the event is to engage, inform and equip people with actions to make a difference in our communities through water efficiency and environmental conservation

February 27th-March 3rd, 2023 | SCIENCEx Fire Week. The SCIENCEx webinar series brings together scientists and land management experts from across U.S. Forest Service research stations and beyond to explore the latest science and best practices for addressing large natural resource challenges across the country. These webinars will be primarily management focused, but with applicability for participants from across sectors. SCIENCEx will typically be organized as week-long webinar ‘blitzes’ around salient topics, allowing for deep-dives into subtopics or dynamics within specific geographies.

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 & 10th, 2023 | Western Spaces Annual Land Conference. Save the date! The theme this year is Framing the Future: Investing in Solutions for a Thriving West, and we are planning a great series of panels, workshops, and plenary discussions.

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

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 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 Late February

February 23rd, 2023 | Pathways to an Equitable Future in Water Conservation | Colorado Water Wise. Join equity advocates and leaders as they share their experience and expertise surrounding inclusion and justice in water conservation and sustainability. Learn about using socio-economic justice as a pathway to equity in water conservation, how to equitably direct climate change and resiliency funds to the most vulnerable communities, and how to build inclusive water programs through incorporating language justice. 

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 1st, 2023 | Growing Water Smart: Workshop on Integrating Water and Land Use Planning. The Sonoran Institute, Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, and partner Northern Water are now accepting applications from counties, municipalities, and districts in Northern Colorado that are interested in attending the Growing Water Smart workshop.If your team is accepted, the workshop is free. Participants cover their own travel. Meals and lodging are provided. The goal of Growing Water Smart is to ensure that the water-related growth and development challenges your community is facing are addressed collaboratively and effectively with the greatest tools at your disposal. Attend with your team of land use planners, water providers, elected officials, and other water or land use experts. We will share a range of public engagement, planning, communication, and policy implementation tools and facilitate your team to ensure your community can realize its water efficiency, watershed health, and resilience goals. Workshop Details: May 8-10, 2023, Estes Park, CO at the YMCA of the Rockies. This workshop provides a great opportunity to begin collaborative thinking around linking water and land use, create an action plan, and qualify for technical assistance to support your path forward. Additional information and the application can be found here. Applications are due March 1, 2023, by 5:00pm MST.

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.

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 Late February

interested in developing environmental flow recommendations for their rivers. If your coalition is interested in settling or meeting environmental flow recommendations on your river and you would find working alongside your peers in cohort would be helpful, learn more and indicate your interest here. Applications of interest can be submitted until Friday, February 10th, 2023.

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.

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.

Upper Colorado River States Land $125 Million for Pilot Conservation Program Amid Drought Crisis

South Platte River Receives National Award for River Improvement

Webinar Recording: NoCo Fireshed Risk Assessment for Practitioners. This webinar, co-hosted by the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI), the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative, covers the recently completed Northern Colorado Fireshed Wildfire Risk Assessment. This risk assessment was developed by CFRI in collaboration with dozens of stakeholder groups spanning the Northern Front Range.

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 Late February

The Outdoor Recreation Industry Office is excited to launch their new grant program, the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF)! This program will support outdoor industry small businesses and nonprofits' recovery efforts by providing reimbursement-based grants for payroll needs. The goal is to allow outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits to hire new employees and/or retain existing employees. Applications will open February 1st, 2023. Visit their website for program details, eligibility and funding timeline.

Charge Ahead Colorado Grants. Charge Ahead Colorado provides grant funding for community-based Level 2 and DC fast-charging (DCFC) electric vehicle charging stations. The objectives of Charge Ahead Colorado are to improve air quality, reduce transportation emissions and increase adoption of electric vehicles across Colorado. Next round opens January 17th, 2023 and goes until February 17th, 2023.

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.