Colorado Water Center subject matter experts
The Colorado Water Center, based at Colorado State University, serves to lead interdisciplinary research, education and engagement to address today’s most pressing water issues in Colorado and beyond, and connect diverse water stakeholders to resources and expertise. The CoWC is one of 54 Water Resources Research Institutes created by the Water Resources Act of 1964, which collectively form the National Institutes for Water Resources.
In addition to personnel who work directly for the CoWC, many faculty, Extension specialists and research scientists are engaged with the center, bringing together a broad range of expertise on water-related topics.
With all the coverage recently on the Colorado River and water shortages, we asked CoWC staff, “What’s something to consider that no one’s talking about or that deserves more attention?”
John Tracy, director
John.tracy@colostate.edu
(970) 491-6880
Areas of expertise: watershed management and restoration; water resource planning and management at the watershed scale (as opposed to urban scale); water management under river compacts, decrees and treaties; transboundary water management; agricultural water management.
“We’re talking about it in this abstract term of water shortages and not really getting to the point of how does this affect people? That’s what I think is missing in the conversation. The point of water management is helping people. If we are going to work out reallocation methods, they should consider the maximum social benefit.”
Karen Schlatter, associate director
Karen.schlatter@colostate.edu
(970) 491-2155
Areas of expertise: stakeholder engagement; watershed planning and management; water quality planning and management; dialogue facilitation and conflict negotiation on water issues.
“Education and development of the water workforce. To effectively adapt to climate change and increase water equity in the state, we need to ensure that all Colorado communities have access to information and tools needed to forge a sustainable water future. By promoting water-conscious communities and training the next generation of water leaders, we seek to diversify the voices in water-related decisions and increase water security for all.”
Jessica Thrasher, program lead for water equity and inclusivity
Jessica.thrasher@colostate.edu
(970) 491-4473
Areas of expertise: advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the water field; outreach to underserved communities; solutions to increasing water security in communities (rain barrels, rain gardens, green infrastructure, etc.); engagement of underserved communities in water planning and policy discussions; approaches to increasing household water security and water conservation.
“Water issues like drought affect everyone, but not everyone has access to information that could help them conserve and properly manage water. Equal access to information should be the baseline for all we do. This includes providing information in multiple languages and including diverse voices in water conversations. Diverse voices bring additional perspectives to water issues, and with water resources dwindling in the West, we need to listen to all communities and work toward solutions together. We can’t do things the same way we’ve done them before; now is the time for innovation, collaboration and inclusion of diverse perspectives to create solutions to our water challenges.”
Perry Cabot, Extension faculty in water resources
Perry.cabot@colostate.edu
(719) 334-2558
Areas of expertise: agricultural water management; use of advanced technologies for understanding water needs of irrigated crops; use of alternative crops to mitigate impacts of drought stress on agricultural systems; Colorado Western Slope water issues (upper Colorado River basin).
“There is a strong link between soil stewardship and optimal water use, which we don’t consider enough as an agricultural water management strategy. A lot of soil moisture is lost using conventional farming practices and field preparation. That moisture then needs to be replenished. Current practices are considered necessary, since we farm with conventional equipment, but innovation always plays a role as needs change. More impactful research and extension needs to be done to encourage the adoption of practices that quantify the benefits of holding moisture and understanding barriers to adoption.”
Joel Schneekloth, Extension faculty in water resources
Joel.schneekloth@colostate.edu
Office: (970) 345-0508 | Cell: (970) 554-1905
Areas of expertise: agricultural water management; use of alternative crops to mitigate impacts of depleting water supplies; use of advanced technology to manage crop irrigation systems; Front Range agricultural systems (Eastern Plains); crop insurance for limited irrigation and drought management for agricultural production.
“The Colorado River is the big elephant in the room. However, the bulk of agricultural production is in the Eastern Plains, both in terms of acres and economics. Two major issues are the continued drought in eastern Colorado as well as declining water supplies and compact impacts in the Republican Basin. Then there is the issue of agricultural-municipal water transfers in the South Platte Basin, which is now somewhat complicated by the announcement that Nebraska will build the Perkins County Canal, which was part of the 1923 compact on the South Platte.”
Brad Udall, senior water climate fellow
Brad.udall@colostate.edu
(303) 731-7177
Areas of expertise: climate change impacts on water resource systems; water policy as it relates to water compacts; the Colorado River in general.
“The problems on the Colorado River point to more widespread problems with the foundations of Western Water Law, also known as ‘first in time, first in right’ or ‘prior appropriation.’ I believe prior appropriation can’t work as envisioned during times of severe water shortages. Our economic systems can’t stand the absolute winners and absolute losers that this system provides. How we adjust PA to these new realities will be one of the major water policy challenges in the 21st century.”
Jennifer Gimbell, senior water policy fellow
Jennifer.gimbel@colostate.edu
(303) 817-3955
Areas of expertise: state and federal water policy; water compacts for Colorado’s rivers; Colorado River issues in general.
“Climate change (variable stream flows, more extreme events) affects all of Colorado, not just the Colorado River basin. We must learn to share our infrastructure and management of water and promote multi-use projects on a regional basis.”