Patricia J. Rettig

Head Archivist

Water Resources Archive


Fields of Expertise

History

Areas of Interest

Colorado water history


Biography

Patty Rettig is the head archivist in the Water Resources Archive at the Colorado State University Libraries. Rettig has built the archive to hold over 100 distinct collections documenting Colorado’s water heritage by engaging with the water community across the state. This involves working with people throughout the university as well as with state and federal agencies, ditch companies, businesses, and individuals. She earned her Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her B.A. in English from Wittenberg University. She has been with the Water Resources Archive since its beginning in 2001. Ms. Rettig works with individuals and organizations across the state to save historic documents related to Colorado's water resources. She assists students, faculty, and other researchers in using the archival collections. She also conducts extensive outreach--articles, exhibits, and presentations--to further the cause of preserving the state's water heritage.