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 is excited to partner with the NoCo Foundation in engaging community leaders in water conversations and solutions for Northern Colorado. Water Literate Leaders 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.
Applications now closed for the 2025-26 cohort.
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
Water Literate Leaders 2025-26
Upcoming program dates
The 2025-2026 cohort of Water Literate Leaders will meet on the scheduled dates and locations listed here. Please note, several meeting and field trip locations are still being finalized and are subject to change, updates will be made here as details are confirmed.
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 leadership
Program lead
Karen Schlatter
Director, Colorado Water Center
Program assistant
Alex Collopy
Water Workforce Program Coordinator, Colorado Water Center
Congrats to the 2025-2026 cohort
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| William Cooksey | Manager – Parks and Recreation | Town of Wellington |
| Kendall DeJonge | Research Agricultural Engineer | USDA Agricultural Research |
| Lesli Ellis | Community Planning, Infrastructure, and Resources Director | Larimer County |
| Brecken Glenn | Project Manager | Affinity Partners, LLC |
| Wade Keith | Brand Manager/Owner | Breeze Thru Car Wash |
| Catharine Kellogg | Water Resources Technical Specialist | City of Loveland |
| Gretchen Malberg | Chemist III | City of Greeley |
| Ryan Mick | President | The Mosaic Companies |
| Alison Pegg | Regional Grant Navigator | Upstate Colorado Economic |
| Shani Porter | Planning Director | Town of Severance |
| Kelsey Robertson | Senior Planner | Town of Windsor |
| Laura Robinson | Lead Analyst | Brendle Group |
| Hans Rodvik | Area Manager, Community & Local Government Affairs | Xcel Energy |
| Alea Rodriguez | Housing Stability Manager | Larimer County |
| Lori Schwarz | Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director | City of Fort Collins |
| Chris Sorenson | Vice President of Finance | Hartford Homes |
| Tasha Stewart | Water Efficiency Coordinator | City of Loveland Utilities |
| Honora Thompson | Senior Communications Specialist | City of Fort Collins Utilities |
| John Todd | Retired | NoCo Foundation |
| Dana Villeneuve | Government Affairs Program Manager | New Belgium Brewing |
