Water Literate Leaders
of Northern Colorado
Engaging Northern Colorado leaders in education, dialogue, and empowered decision-making practices to address the complex water issues facing their communities.
Become a Water Literate Leader
The Colorado Water Center, in partnership with the NoCo Foundation, engages Northern Colorado community leaders in water conversations and solutions for the region. Water Literate Leaders work or live in Boulder, Larimer, or Weld county, and are committed to investing their time and energy to learn from experts and empower themselves to meet the ever-changing water needs of our communities.
The 2026-27 Water Literate Leaders cohort has been announced! Check out the following program and cohort information and consider applying for a future program year.
What to expect
Over the course of the program, nine class sessions will be held in Fort Collins, which participants are expected to attend. Classes cover a range of topics related to water, including historical context, water law & policy, supply & demand, economic growth & development, agriculture, municipalities, and environmental & recreational issues. Classes also feature stories and conversations with key water leaders about their leadership experiences and individual journeys in water.
Participants must complete homework assignments and engage in class discussion. Field trips (typically one in fall and one in spring) provide hands-on learning experiences and exposure to various water-related issues and initiatives. Snacks, beverages, and lunch are provided for each session. Program tuition is $300.
Program participants:
- Actively learn about complex Northern Colorado water issues from all angles including: agriculture, urban, environmental, recreation, and business via presentations, dialogue and field trips
- Interact and dialogue with regional water leaders for an inside view of issues affecting Northern Colorado’s water future—and participate in visioning activities
- Build active connections with key stakeholders in the region and state
- Live and/or work in Boulder, Larimer, or Weld County
Water Literate Leaders 2026-27
Upcoming program dates
The 2026-2027 cohort of Water Literate Leaders will meet on the scheduled dates and locations listed here. Please note dates may be subject to change, updates will be made here as details are confirmed. Most general meeting sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Powered by local partnerships
Water Literate Leaders draws on the expertise of regional water leader from such entities as:
- Big Thompson Watershed Coalition
- Center for Public Deliberation, CSU
- City of Fort Collins
- City of Greeley
- City of Loveland
- City of Thornton
- Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
- Colorado Ag Water Alliance
- Colorado Department of Agriculture
- Colorado Division of Water Resources
- Colorado Water Trust
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, CSU
- Ducks Unlimited
- Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
- Fort Collins-Loveland Water District and South Fort Collins Sanitation District
- Hartford Homes, Timnath
- Leprino Foods Company
- Mountain Whitewater
- North Sterling Irrigation District
- Northern Water
- Occidental Petroleum
- Open Water Foundation
- Roberts Ranch
- South Metro Water Supply Authority
- The Nature Conservancy Colorado
- Town of Wellington
- Town of Windsor
- Water Resources Archive, CSU
- Western Resource Advocates
Program contacts
Alex Collopy
Water Workforce Program Coordinator, Colorado Water Center
Karen Schlatter
Director, Colorado Water Center
Welcome to the 2026-2027 WLL cohort
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Benton | Environmental Planner | Larimer County |
| Annabelle Berklund | Specialist, Public Engagement | City of Fort Collins |
| Dana Blach | Senior Supervisor, Sciences | City of Fort Collins, Pollution Control Laboratory |
| Taryn Contento | Post-Fire and Rivers Project Manager | Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed |
| Diana Frick | Director, Culture, Parks and Recreation | City of Greeley |
| Alex Hagman | Associate Broker, Owner/Operator | Home Smart Realty Group, BodhiSol Teak, Vice President on Sunset Water District Board |
| Michael Hall | City Planner | City of Evans |
| Will Jones | Public Works Director | City of Loveland |
| Sarah Kaye | Lead Planner | Brendle Group |
| Jojo La | Manger of Conservation Programs | Ducks Unlimited |
| Melissa McDonald | Mayor Pro Tem | City of Greeley |
| Maxwell Nader | Deputy Director | Weld County Department of Planning Services |
| David Nebel | Director of Sustainability, North and Central America | Ball Corporation |
| Emily Paul | Director of Federal Government Relations | Rocky Mountain Farmers Union |
| Matthew Redmond | Design & Technology Associate | Agriburbia LLC |
| Jodie Riesenberger | VP, Community Impact | NoCo Foundation |
| Holly Tarry | CEO | Sustainable Runoff Solutions, LLC |
| Theron Verna | Water Program Manager | Palmer Land Conservancy |
| Katie Wolf | Communications and Program Coordinator | CSU Agricultural Water Quality Program |
| Caitlin Wyrick | City Council | City of Loveland |
Congrats to the 2025-2026 WLL cohort!
