HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 July Packet 2025
Agenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change
Agenda | July 17, 2025
River Park Center
Second Floor Conference Room
123 Emma Road, Basalt CO 81621
Executive Session
4:00 PM Open Meeting
Move to Enter into Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
• Shoshone/Colorado River Conservation District change of water rights
discussion with counsel for the purpose of receiving legal advice
pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b); and
• Pitkin County Recreational In-channel Diversion discussion with
counsel for the purpose of receiving legal advice pursuant to C.R.S. 24-
6-402(4)(b).
TIME ITEM
Administrative Items
5:30 PM Board Comment Public Comment Additions/Deletions to Agenda
5:40 PM Approval of Minutes – Special Meeting May 27, 2025 Outreach/Education/Grants
5:45 PM Overview of USGS activities in the Roaring Fork Basin and Castle Creek
Stream Gage- Bryan Moore, Supervisory Hydrologic Technician, USGS; and
Steve Hunter, Utilities Resource Manager, City of Aspen
6:15 PM Funding Request Wild and Scenic Instream Flow Subcommittee- Hattie
Johnson, Southern Rockies Restoration Director, American Whitewater,
Michael Gorman, Campaign Director, Wilderness Workshop Staff Reports
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Agenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change
6:45 PM Healthy Rivers 2026 Budget Discussion- Lisa MacDonald and Lisa Tasker
(materials to be handed out)
7:15 PM Monthly Staff Report- Lisa MacDonald and Lisa Tasker
7:20 PM Open Discussion
7:30 PM Adjourn
Upcoming 2025 Regular Meetings Aug 21, Sep 18, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18
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MINUTES
PITKIN COUNTY HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MAY 27, 2025 ZOOM ONLY
• The agenda items contained in these minutes are written in an action only format.
• To access the meeting packet material and meeting minutes go to: http://pitkincounty.com/452/Browse-to-a-File
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Neff called the regular meeting of the River Board to order at 4:05 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Andre Wille, Bill Jochems, Kirstin Neff, Ned Andrews, Maciej Mrotek, Chris Lemons MEMBERS ABSENT:
Open Meeting Chair Neff called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None
Revised Grant Presentation: University of Colorado (CU) Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR); Lincoln Creek Watershed, Concentrations of Rare Earth Elements (REE) and other metals- Diane
McKnight, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering CU INSTAAR
Mr. Andrews moved to recommend funding in the amount of $35,000 to the University of Colorado’s Institue of Arctive and Alpine Research for Lincoln Creek Watershed, Concentrations of Rare Earth Elements and other metals. Mr. Jochems seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6/0
BUDGET SUPPLEMENT REQUEST
Budget Supplemental Request to the BOCC for the final buildout of the WhiteWater Park and recommendation to the BOCC to authorize use of Park Dedication Fees towards the construction.
Move to recommend supplementing the budget line item for park build out in 2025-26 for $1,750,000 and seeking county park dedication fees in the amount of $500,000 towards construction.
ADJOURN SPECIAL MEETING
Action: Mr. Mrotek moved to adjourn the special regular meeting of the River Board at approximately 5:15 p.m. Mr. Wille seconded the motion. Motion passed 6/0. Approved: Attest:
__________________________ Kirstin Neff – Chair Lisa Tasker
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USGS | National Water Dashboard
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USGS | National Water Dashboard
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USGS | National Water Dashboard
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09081000 - ROARING FORK RIVER NEAR EMMA, CO
(2025 PROGRAM)
09081000 - ROARING FORK RIVER NEAR EMMA, CO
(2025 PROGRAM)
Town of
Basalt
9.7%Roaring Fork
Conservancy
9.7%
Eagle County
9.7%
Pitkin
County
9.7%
Colorado River
District
33%
USGS Funds
28%
The USGS has an agreement with the Colorado River District (CRD) who bills the other partners for their share of the cost.
In FY25, Pitkin County’s cost was just under $4000 for its share of streamflow and water quality sampling.
Continuous Discharge, WQ sampling.
In addition, USBR funds precipitation at
the site and USGS (NGWOS) funds the
continuous WQ monitor at the site.
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These congressionally appropriated funds have not been increased in quite a few years. As operational costs increase from one year to the next, this match ratio decrease negatively affects our partners.
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Thank You!
-questions?
Bryan Moore - Supervisory Hydrologic Technician
bmoore@usgs.gov
(970) 250-1542
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July 11, 2025
Ms. Lauren Ris Director
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, CO 80203
Director Ris,
As administrator for the Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Feasibility
Collaborative Steering Committee, I am writing on behalf of the participating stakeholders to
request funding from the CWCB’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Fund. This funding request will be
used for stakeholder group facilitation support, riparian assessments, and sediment transport
modeling to help develop potential protection tools for the Crystal River as part of this
community-driven facilitated stakeholder process. As fiscal agent for the Stakeholder Group,
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) will manage purchase orders, invoices
and record-keeping associated with this request. NWCCOG is an Association of Governments
under Article XIV, Section 18 of the Colorado Constitution, and Section 29-1-201 et seq.,
29-1-401 and 29-1-402, Colorado Revised Statutes.
BACKGROUND
The Crystal River Wild and Scenic Feasibility Collaborative (“Collaborative”) was formed in 2022
as a scoping group to discuss the creation of a facilitated stakeholder process to consider how
best to protect a 39-mile segment of the Crystal River into the future. The collaborative hired
professional facilitators and establishedthe Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other
Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative Steering Committee (“Steering Committee”). The
Steering Committee was designed to be representative of diverse perspectives including Crystal
River Valley property owners, ranchers, recreation user groups, outfitters, irrigators, and
conservationists and was convened by the Town of Marble, Gunnison County, Pitkin County, and
the Colorado River Water Conservation District.
The Steering Committee is co-chaired by Ron Leach (Town of Marble), Kelly McNicholas-Kury
(Pitkin County), Elizabeth “Liz” Smith (Gunnison County), and Zane Kessler (Colorado River
Water Conservation District). The following is a list of Steering Committee members and their
stated interests/affiliations include: 1
- Manette Anderson, (adjacent property owner, angler, wildlife/bird watcher)
- Tait Anderson (whitewater recreation, wildlife/bird watcher, interested resident, Crystal
Valley Environmental Protection Association)
- Bill Argeros (water rights holder, adjacent property holder, recreation, Crystal River
Caucus)
1 Steering committee members were selected after filling out interest forms after a large public meeting
was hosted by the Collaborative. The interests identified here come from their responses to that interest
form.
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- Mark Beckler (adjacent property owner, angler)
- Stacey Bernot (interested resident, former Carbondale mayor)
- Wendy Boland (adjacent property owner, wildlife/bird watcher, interested resident)
- Nolan Colucci (recreation, interested resident)
- Larry Darien (water rights holder, adjacent property holder, agricultural producer,
business interest)
- Chuck Downey (adjacent property owner)
- John Emerick (interested resident, wildlife/bird watcher, Crystal River Caucus)
- Molly Fales (adjacent property owner, water rights owner, agricultural producer)
- Stuart Gillespie (adjacent property owner, water rights holder, angler, business interest)
- Michael Gorman (conservation, recreation, wildlife, Wilderness Workshop),
- Lani Kitching (former Carbondale town council, business interest/outfitter)
- Lea Linse (resident, conservation, recreation, EcoFlight)
- Denny Meredith-Orr (recreation, interested resident)
- Jennifer Moore (wildlife, interested resident)
- Colin Quinn (recreation, angler, interested resident)
- John Rutland (recreation, interested resident)
- Wendy Ryan (angler, business, wildlife)
- John Spillane (adjacent property owner, interested resident)
- Andrew Steininger (water rights holder, adjacent property holder, recreation, wildlife,
interested resident)
- Giuseppe Telera (Colorado Stone Quarries, water rights holder, adjacent property owner,
business interest)
- Katie Todt (Colorado Stone Quarries, water rights holder, adjacent property owner,
business interest)
- Josh Vogt (adjacent property, wildlife, interested resident)
The Steering Committee is supported by two technical advisors: Glenn Porzak (attorney, Porzak
Law) and Lisa Tasker (consultant, Pitkin County). The following have served as Ex Officio
members: Hilary Henry (Senator Bennet), Katy Nelson (US Forest Service), Kara Scheel
(Colorado Water Conservation Board), and Janeth Stancle (Senator Hickenlooper).
Congresswoman Boebert’s office was invited to attend all meetings and sent all correspondence
provided to the Steering Committee to date. Notifications of the existence of the Steering
Committee have been shared with Representative Jeff Hurd’s office, but no Steering Committee
meetings have been held since he took office. Alie Wettstein (Town of Marble) and Hattie
Johnson (American Whitewater) provide administrative support and Jacob Bornstein and
Wendy Green Lowe served as co-facilitators from 2022-2024.
One of the first tasks the Steering Committee took on was to develop shared values that any
protections for the Crystal River should achieve and applied them as the criteria for evaluating
the protections. Those values are the criteria with which the Steering Committee will jointly
evaluate the three protections options being investigated by each subcommittee and they read
as follows:
● Durable and effective protection: enduring, permanent, effective protection
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● Prevents dams and out-of-basin diversions: no jurisdiction, entity, or person could build
an on-channel dam or out of basin diversions
● Sustainable recreation and tourism: recreation is better managed or upgraded to
protect the river corridor
● Local agriculture & water rights: incentives are in place to keep water rights tied to land
ownership
● Local control and property rights: current level of private property rights and water
rights control, subject to local and state governmental regulations
● Healthy river corridor: opportunity exists to improve and enhance the resiliency of the
natural hydrograph, water quality, ecosystem health, and riparian health
● Implementation capacity and funding: resources, including funding, staff, and time, are
dedicated and available for implementation, management, and maintenance.
● Limited future development: limited future development near the river.
The Steering Committee began its work following an initial community summit by sharing
aspirations for the desired future for the river and considering what might happen without
agreement on how to manage the river. The Steering Committee agreed to consider the
feasibility of pursuing seven potential protections:
● Outstanding Waters Designation
● Existing Regulations, including 1041
● Localized Protection and Restoration Options
● Instream Flows and Recreational In-Channel Diversions
● Local Management and Intergovernmental Agreements
● National Conservation Areas/Special Management Areas
● Wild and Scenic River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968
In a consensus recommendation to the Town of Marble, Gunnison and Pitkin Counties, and the
Colorado River Water Conservation District, the Steering Committee agreed to form
subcommittees in 2024 to continue the work initiated by the Steering Committee to further
examine the feasibility of three of these options which the Steering Committee deemed most
appropriate for the Crystal River. These subcommittees are:
1. An Intergovernmental Agreement Subcommittee (“IGA Subcommittee”) - composed of
representatives of the local governments of jurisdiction within the proposed reach and
interested Steering Committee members - to develop a draft intergovernmental
agreement to memorialize a commitment to protecting the Crystal River against
mainstem dams and trans-basin diversions.
2. An enhanced Instream Flow Feasibility Subcommittee (“Instream Flow Subcommittee”) -
supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board in collaboration with interested
Steering Committee members, a potential recommendation entity (a potential entity to
formally recommend the instream flow to the CWCB), and legal and technical experts
from the local government entities – to draft an enhanced instream flow to protect peak
flows and prevent diversions of the free river.
3. A Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee (“Wild and Scenic Subcommittee”)–
including representation of diverse perspectives found within the Steering Committee
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and with the support of the ex-officio members and technical advisers - to continue to
endeavor to draft a proposal for a Crystal River Wild and Scenic package tailored to
meet the specific needs and flexibility expressed by the Steering Committee for the
Crystal River. This effort should include additional research as needed, continued
outreach to local landowners and stakeholders, and an effort to learn from others who
have had direct experience to ensure a Crystal River approach would build upon the
lessons of previous efforts.
The Steering Committee’s final recommendation clarifies that members’ support of this
agreement should not be interpreted as consensus to support the outcomes of the
Subcommittees’ work, and directs subcommittees to report back to the Steering Committee. The
Steering Committee will continue to attempt to reach consensus to move forward with
implementing all or some of these three protections at future meetings.
Project Area Description
The Crystal River is one of Colorado’s last undammed rivers of size. Flowing from its headwaters
in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness to Carbondale where it joins with the Roaring Fork
River, this crystal-clear river carves one of western Colorado’s most scenic valleys. The Crystal
provides clean water to the valley’s residents, multigenerational family ranches, and an abundant
aquatic and riparian ecosystem. Beginning in the 1980’s, citizen groups have sought designation
of the river and its corridor under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In 2002 the US Forest Service
found the Crystal River eligible for inclusion in the national Wild and Scenic River system, which
would protect its free-flowing character, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable scenic,
historic, and recreational values.
From the White River Wild and Scenic Eligibility Report:
The river segments found eligible include both the north and south forks of
the Crystal River, beginning at their headwaters and then downstream to
the Sweet Jessup headgate (about one mile from the forest boundary),
approximately 39 miles, encompassing approximately 7,500 acres of NFS
land and 4,500 acres of private land.
The Steering Committee is seeking protection for the section of the Crystal River found eligible
for Wild and Scenic designation. This section includes parts of Pitkin and Gunnison Counties and
includes the town of Marble and community of Redstone. The extent of any protection tool or
combination thereof is dependent on the final proposal from the subcommittees and subject to
further adjustment by the Steering Committee. USFS Wild and Scenic Eligibility map
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Scope of Work
Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee Funding Needs
At its initial meeting as a Subcommittee, the Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee agreed to
a charter which included the following statements related to the purpose and scope of the
subcommittee’s work:
The subcommittee is charged by the Steering Committee with creating a draft Wild and Scenic
legislative proposal and map that protects the community-held values on the Crystal River, while
addressing local concerns that have been brought up during phase 1 of the steering committee
process. Local and state protections are also being considered by other subcommittees as more
immediate/additional protections while Wild & Scenic legislative language is carefully
Developed.
The subcommittee is tasked with “endeavor[ing] to draft a proposal for a Crystal River Wild and
Scenic package tailored to meet the specific needs and flexibility expressed by the Steering
Committee for the Crystal River”. In order to start drafting a proposal, the subcommittee will first
need to define a process and agree on a framework for drafting a legislative proposal and map.
The Subcommittee is not deciding if this package is better or worse than the other two
approaches. We are not supporting/opposing specific legislation. (The Subcommittee isn’t being
asked to support/oppose a draft bill, we just need to deliver our best possible proposal to the
Steering Committee. Individuals and the Steering Committee can then decide whether it does
enough to allay their concerns, or not).
The Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative Steering
Committee, are requesting funding specifically to:
Hire a third-party facilitator to host in-person meetings and guide the Wild and Scenic Feasibility
Subcommittee through the process of producing a report that will be delivered to the Steering
Committee for evaluation. The report will describe the subcommittee’s activities, research and
findings, and outline a Wild and Scenic proposal that best meets the Steering Committee’s
criteria. This report will be the final deliverable for this funding. The Wild and Scenic Feasibility
Subcommittee solicited proposals and (pending receipt of funding) selected Keystone Policy
Center’s proposal, attached to this letter, for their fair and inclusive approach and their
demonstrated qualifications and experience in related natural resources planning efforts.
Instream Flow Subcommittee Funding Needs
The Steering Committee also directed the formation of an instream flow subcommittee with their
final recommendation in February 2024. That recommendation read as follows:
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“A[n Enhanced] Instream Flow Subcommittee - supported by the Colorado Water
Conservation Board in collaboration with interested Steering Committee members, a potential
recommendation entity (a potential entity to formally recommend the instream flow to the
CWCB), and legal and technical experts from the local government entities – to draft a peaking
instream flow to protect peak flows and prevent diversions of the free river.”
The Instream Flow Subcommittee has been meeting regularly since that direction by the
Steering Committee. The subcommittee commissioned a literature review on the existing
condition of the natural environment of the Crystal River at the end of 2024. That work helped
the committee to focus on two potential characteristics of the Crystal River that are high
flow-dependent, sediment transport, specifically due to the large input of sediment at Coal
Creek, and vibrant riparian communities. Much more research and data collection is needed.
The Instream Flow Subcommittee is requesting funding to further explore these two possible
approaches to pursuing additional instream flow rights for the Crystal River. The subcommittee
has met with David Cooper of Colorado State University and Ecological Resource Consultants
on site to review opportunities and needs for site investigation, data collection, and modeling
plan development. The full scopes of work from both parties are attached to this letter. The
subcommittee is seeking funds to:
● Develop a comprehensive Study Plan focused on quantifying stream morphometrics,
sediment transport and hydrologic regime impacts for the Crystal River and tributaries.
The Study will be designed specifically to provide evaluation, data, and analysis to
provide an estimation of possible sediment, geomorphological, environmental and
ecological impacts of high flows to the riverine system in support of determined CR-ISF
objectives.
Deliverables
Wild and Scenic Subcommittee Deliverables:
● Meeting agenda and minutes from monthly subcommittee meetings
● Final report from the Subcommittee with support from Keystone Policy Center outlining a
Wild and Scenic legislative proposal that best meets Steering Committee criteria and will
be discussed by the steering committee to determine whether to pursue wild and scenic and
or other alternatives.
Instream Flow Subcommittee Deliverables:
● A Sediment study plan will specifically define field data needs and the analytical
processes intended to develop Study results through explicitly defined work tasks. The
Phase I work product will also include a proposed phasing and schedule conforming with
the Study funding plan.
● Complete methods for sampling and analysis of trees to along the Crystal River.
● Final results of the first phase of study, identifying the germination year for each plant
sampled.
● Final analysis of Crystal River flows that triggered germination and survival of the sample
trees.
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● Final analysis of sediment thickness deposited around trees that build floodplains and
result in sediment storage.
Budget
Expenses
Subcommittee facilitation - Keystone Policy Center $44,942.00
Sediment Transport Assessment - ERC $30,218.00
Riparian Assessment - CSU $26,300.00
Meeting Costs (space rental and food) $5,000.00
Administrative Support $13,000.00
Estimated NWCCOG Admin fee (5%) $6,039.00
Total expenses: $125,499.00
Matching Funds $25,500.00
Total CWCB Project Request $99,999.00
Matching Funds
Matching Cash Funds
Mighty Arrow Family Foundation (pending) $2,000
Pitkin County Healthy Rivers Board (pending) $5,000.00
Previous expenses (past 9 months)
Cash match:
past Meeting costs (food) $500
Literature review (Brad Johnson) $5,000
total cash match $12,500
In-kind match:
in-kind consultation from WRA $3,000
previous Facilitation and co-chair administration services (WW) $1,000
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previous Facilitation and co-chair admin services (EcoFlight) $1,000
Previous Facilitation and admin services (AW) $1,000
In-kind matching services
consultation and admin support (WRA) $4,000
Co-chair admin support (AW) (secured) $3,000
total in kind match $13,000
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MEETING DATE: July 17, 2025
TO: Healthy Rivers Board
FROM: Lisa Tasker and Lisa MacDonald CC: Ry Neiley, County Attorney AGENDA ITEM: Monthly Staff Report
Administration Attend all BOCC Work Sessions for board application interviews. Jacober, Sherman, Jacober and Schmilgesky, Ogilby and Cox. BOCC chose Sam Cox, however it was discovered Mr. Cox is on the election commission and our bylaws state a member cannot be on two Pitkin County boards. Awaiting BOCC decision. Projects and Infrastructure: Wild and Scenic Efforts Wild and Scenic Subcommittee meetings the 4th Thursdays of each month beginning last January 23rd ended March 27th. The W&S Subcommittee is on break for several months while funding and hiring facilitators is underway to complete the subcommittee’s final steps. A July 10th email announced discussions have been underway with Christine Zenel and Jonathan Geurts both of the Keystone Policy Center. Funding from other sources and primarily the Colorado Water Conservation Board Wild & Scenic Rivers Fund is being pursued to pay for these facilitators and creation of a final report. The Instream Flow or “Peaking Instream Flow” Subcommittee has members attending the Healthy Rivers Board meeting today to pursue matching funds for their efforts at collecting data to support CWCB applications for instream flow rights for unappropriated flows on the Crystal River. Healthy Rivers staff, CWCB, Western Resource Advocates, American Whitewater, Wilderness Workshop, the Colorado River District, and others continue the ISF Subcommittee meetings and strategizing the means to pursuing a water right. The idea is this water right would suffice for both protecting the Crystal’s unappropriated flows, providing additional protections, and be able to satisfy the water right necessary for a Wild and Scenic designation of the eligible reach, were that ever to be proposed by the Wild and Scenic Stakeholder group. Sam Caudill State Wildlife Area Landscaping pushed back to late fall 2025. CPW wants to a grand opening late Aug or Sept.
Lincoln Creek/Ruby Mine At their July meeting, the CWCB Board will hear the Water Supply Reserve Fund grant request recommendation of $100,000 by the CBRT this spring. Independence Pass Foundation, with assistance from Pitkin County’s grant writer and staff, was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Healthy Rivers Fund through the CWCB to put towards the greater Lincoln Creek Workgroup Phase II efforts and LRE Water, the consultants hired. Only an NGO can apply for that state Healthy Rivers Fund money. Twin Lakes Reservoir and Canal Co and Pueblo Water each recently donated $5,000 towards the efforts of LRE Water and the Lincoln Creek Workgroup for the current Phase II work.
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Two large sampling efforts have occurred to date related to Lincoln Creek for 2025. One June 6th and the other June 17th. Water quality samples were collected, streamflow was measured at 4 sites, trail cameras were checked, specific conductivity loggers were downloaded and a number of staff gages were installed. CPW had their regional water specialist, their River Watch Director, their water quality monitoring and assessment specialist, our area CPW aquatic biologist, USFS has had their hydrologist and fisheries biologist, Roaring Fork Conservancy has their water quality team, all in addition to staff from Pitkin Co Healthy Rivers and Environmental Health. Diane McKnight’s group is expected to be visiting soon and plans to coordinate with the larger efforts overall. Whitewater/ Fish Park Streamside Amenities 2025 CPW Fishing is Fun Grant not awarded Staff met tree service for maintenance on downed trees on the Boardwalk Supplemental budget requests to BOCC in June for funding using County Park Dedication fees. BOCC approved funding request. Met with Aspen Tree regarding fallen trees on boardwalk they will return after fledgling period. New bid requests to bidders were July 11th. Next steps occur week of July 14th Outreach/Education/Grants
● Ads are running on KDNK and KMTS, APR and the Mountain stations. ● 2025 Scholarship information provided to the schools. 3 students chosen by sub-committee. Aspen, Basalt and Glenwood High winners. Neff attended Basalt and Glenwood’s ceremonies, Wille and Neff both attended Aspen in June
● Received 2 Aspen Applications, 7 Basalt Applications, 9 RF Watershed applications ● 6 Healthy Rivers Program Grant Applications, 5 Approved April 17th , 1 approved May 27th
Education and Training 2025:
● Colorado Water Congress Winter Conference Denver January 29-31, no attendees this year
● RFC - What's the Big Deal with Lincoln Creek, Tasker, Andrews
● RFC – Are there Rare Earth Elements and Trace Metals in Lincoln Creek Neff, Tasker, MacDonald
● State of the River Carbondale Tasker, MacDonald, Andrews, and Neff
● Water Law in a Nutshell, Eagle, April 23. Neff
● Colorado Healthy Headwaters Working Group's webinar on Navigating Stream and Wetlands
Restoration Permitting Under Colorado's New Legislation on Thursday April 24. Tasker
● Colorado State Grants for Ag, Climate Resilience Grants Zoom meeting May 7. Tasker
● River Network Flow Training Series, Flow Goals and Objectives May 14. Tasker
● Midwest Beaver Summit, Emily Fairfax, Mike Callahan and others, virtual June 5. Tasker
● Beaver Festival, Durango, CO June 14. Tasker
Ongoing - Staff continues to participate and/or collaborate with the following groups:
● Colorado Water Congress State Affairs Committee meetings Mondays 8:00 am when CO State Congress is in session- monitor each week while Legislature is in session.
● Roaring Fork Wildfire Collaborative as applicable
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● Watershed Collaborative Meetings, Board is on listserv and receives updates May 15th, Glenwood Springs
● Colorado Basin Roundtable half-day meetings every 2 months March 24th Grant applicants for CWCB Water Supply Reserve Fund portion for CBRT heard. Recommended $100, 000 to Pitkin County Healthy Rivers for Lincoln Creek Workgroup related work. The CWCB Board will make final decisions on WSRF awards at its July meeting in the Arkansas Basin.
● Crystal River Wild and Scenic Core Group, Collaborative, Coalition/Advocacy, Stakeholder meetings
● Local Beaver group including CPW, USFS, BLM, RFC, Sierra Club, EcoFlight, The Roaring Fork Biodiversity Initiative, National Forest Foundation and others – Healthy Rivers staff and Roaring Fork Audubon met April 23rd. Discussions continue with USFS. ● Lincoln Creek/Grizzly/Ruby Mine Local working group ongoing Three teams have been formed; Public Comms, Short Term Water Quality Monitoring, completion of Phase I project with LRE Water in December, Phase II Scope of Work (SOW) is created and incorporated in the LRE Water Phase II SOW and fully reviewed by the Lincoln Creek Workgroup. Contract Amendment Executed. 2025 Lincoln Creek Sampling team met May 6th. RFC and PitCo Environmental Health present their portion of the Lincoln Creek 2025 Sampling Plan on May 15th, to the board. The Lincoln Creek Sampling Plan is in motion for 2025, with the first two field visits completed June 5th and 17th National Wild and Scenic Coalition Zoom every two months
● National W&S Rivers Virtual Hill Week March 2025
● Meetings on the first Friday every two months, attendance related to relevant topics Riverscape Restoration Network Meetings with American Rivers– -March 6th Highlights of the Feb. 20th LTPBR labor capacity issues brainstorm - what potential solution ideas rose to the top? Three 15 minute presentations from 3 LTPBR project planners/leaders on what they are doing for field crew LTPBR labor (and ideas for improving the situation) Tasker, MacDonald, Neff Reid Whittlesey, Restoration Program Director for Rio Grande Returns, New MexicoRose Smith, Stream and Riparian Restoration Program Manager for Sageland Collaboratives, Utah Ben LaPorte, Upper Clark Fork Project Manager for Trout Unlimited, Montana -May 8th Updates on beaver research & Jackie Corday’s report, Presentations- Jefferson Jacobs, Manager of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Lessons Learned Over Ten Years of Working Riparian Restoration; Sarah Marshall, Ecohydrologist with CNHP, Review of Two Key Mapping Tools, The Colorado River Basin Dynamic Wetland Mapper and Colorado Beaver Activity Mapper (COBAM). Neff, Tasker
● Beaver Working Group for the state of Colorado
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Last meeting was April 18th. The state is currently working on a statewide beaver plan.
BeaverCon, the conference with 500 attendees last fall in Boulder, now has their presentations available on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL38czPqtBims25gi2P6gQRZAa28wFsHIr
Beaver Conservation and Management Strategy Focus Group-Conservation Funders meets for the first time July 31st. Directed by the Keystone Policy Center at the request of the state, Healthy Rivers staff invited.
● Pitkin County Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan Counties are required by the state of Colorado to adopt comprehensive plans as advisory documents. They provide guidance for land use and other county programs and policies. Healthy Rivers staff working with Community Development staff on a plan. Monthly meetings. Community Development and Brendle Group, hired consultants, attended the May meeting with an update.
● Aspen Parks & Open Space Strategic Plan Focus Group
Lincoln Creek Workgroup Photos:
Managed flows on Lincoln Creek below Grizzly Reservoir June 17, 2025
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July 17th 2025 Sampling Team, Lincoln Creek Workgroup.
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CPW installing staff gages at flow measurement sites on Lincoln Creek above Grizzly Reservoir.
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Gear with Megan McConville, Water Quality Specialist and River Watch Program Manager for CPW.
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Taking flow measurements on Lincoln Creek above Grizzly Reservoir. CPW and RFC.
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The now infamous Mineralized Tributary, tributary to Lincoln Creek above Grizzly Reservoir June 17, 2025
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