2020 Planning Committee

Each year the Arkansas River Basin Water Forum board of directors recruits a new host community within the Basin to help plan the Forum. This tradition ensures that the Forum broadens relationships throughout the Arkansas River Basin, which is spatially the largest river basin in Colorado covering 27% of the State’s area (28,268 sq. mi.). Our goal has been to have the location of the Forum move annually within the Basin.  In 2020, our Water Forum will be hosted in Salida. In 2021, we will return to Colorado Springs.

​A special thank you to our 2020 planning committee. These outstanding folks meet regularly and give their time and energy to help bring you a top-notch experience.  Thank you to the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District for hosting our monthly planning meetings. 

  • Andrea Coen - Guidestone Colorado and Hutchinson Homestead
  • Rena Brand Griggs - Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • Mannie Colon - Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
  • Paul Fanning - Pueblo Water
  • Julia Gallucci - Colorado Springs Utilities 
  • Kimberly Griffin - Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
  • Bob Hamel - Arkansas River Outfitters Association
  • Matt Heimerich - Palmer Land Trust
  • Luke Javernick - River Science
  • Rick Kienitz - Aurora Water
  • John Knapp - Arkansas River Basin Water Forum
  • Julie Knudson - Purgatoire Watershed Partnership 
  • Tracy Kosloff - Colorado Division of Water Resources
  • Buffy Lenth - Central Colorado Conservancy
  • ​Andrew Lerch - Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative
  • Sarah Mudge - County Commissioner, Lake County
  • Dominique Naccarato - GARNA
  • Kristie Nackord - ARBWF program manager 
  • Chelsey Nutter - Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative
  • Daniel Omasta - Trout Unlimited
  • Blake Osborn - Colorado Water Institute/CSU Extension 
  • Ed Perko - Pueblo Water
  • ​Jessica Mills - Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District
  • Lorenz Sutherland - Arkansas River Basin Water Forum
  • Al Tucker - Arkansas River Basin Roundtable
  • Jim Valliant - Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District
  • Jean Van Pelt - PEPO (Public Education Participation Outreach)
  • Rob White - Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
  • ​Chris Woodka - Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District  ​​

    Stay Informed!
The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum is a 501 (c)3 non-profit that serves as a conduit for information about the Arkansas River Basin in Colorado, and for issues related to water allocation and management.  Through our annual Forums, a wider understanding of water issues has evolved and along with it the opportunity to find common ground.