Water Literate Leaders
of Northern Colorado
Community leaders are making decisions about water affecting their constituents, town, environment, and future. Water issues are particularly complex, and understanding the nuances is critical for good decision-making.
The Colorado Water Center is excited to partner with the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado 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.
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 $250.
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
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
- Fischer, Brown, Bartlett, Larsen & Irby; P.C.
- Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
- Fort Collins-Loveland Water District and South Fort Collins Sanitation District
- Hartford Homes, Timnath
- Interim Associate Director & Water Equity Program Leader, Colorado Water Center
- 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 is the Associate Director of the Colorado Water Center. She leads the development and implementation of the Center’s outreach and engagement strategy, specializing in stakeholder engagement, watershed planning and management, water quality issues, and dialogue facilitation. Prior to joining the Water Center, Karen led landscape-scale restoration efforts in the Colorado River Delta in Mexico for a decade, including riparian habitat restoration, environmental flow releases, community engagement, and binational partnerships. More recently, she worked to improve water management in Florida through projects related to water, climate change, agricultural management practices, and wildlife corridors. Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from McGill University and a Master of Science in environmental studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She served as an agricultural extension volunteer in the Peace Corps in Paraguay.
Program assistant
Alex Collopy
Water Workforce Program Coordinator
2024-2025 cohort
| Name | Title & Affiliation | Community |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Brinck | Assistant Town Administrator | Town of Eaton |
| Thomas Butler | City Councilmember | City of Greeley |
| Cory Channell | Communications Specialist II | City of Greeley, Communications & Engagement |
| Tim Coons | President/CEO | Weld Community Foundation |
| Amber Ortiz Cragg | PE-III | EPS Group |
| Debbie Davis | Vice President & Manager | Independent Financial |
| Nathan Ewert | Engineer III | Town of Wellington |
| Bryce Goldade | Senior Environmental Geologist | Tasman, Inc |
| Jamie Goodvin | Northeast District VP/Realtor | Colorado Association of Realtors/JPAR Modern Real Estate |
| Jason Hallett | Town Board Member | Town of Windsor |
| Kara Kish | Parks and Recreation Director | City of Loveland |
| Cole Kramer | Associate Land Agent | City of Loveland |
| Megan Maiolo-Health | Communications, Outreach & Marketing Manager | Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed |
| Evan McCurnin | Water Resources Analyst | Central Colorado Water Conservancy District |
| Scott Moser | Mayor | Town of Eaton |
| Melanie Potyondy | Fort Collins City Councilmember, District 4 | City of Fort Collins |
| Lindsay Radcliff-Coombes | Deputy Town Manager | Town of Severance |
| Amie Ruggles | Assistant Controller | Odell Brewing Company |
| Abbey Shaneyfelt | Lead Ambassador | Poudre Learning Center |
| Shelby Sommer | Senior Director of Planning & Engagement | Brendle Group |
| Ron Steinbach | Windsor Town Board Member, District 1 | Town of Windsor |
