Board of Directors

The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum is governed by an 12-member board of directors representing a diverse base of water users including municipal, recreation, agriculture, industrial and government. The board meets monthly in various parts of the basin depending upon the location of the Forum each year.
Executive Committee
  • Chairperson - Bob Hamel, Arkansas River Outfitters Association                                                 
  • Vice Chairperson - Blake Osborn, Colorado Water Institute & CSU Extension                    
  • Secretary - Julia Gallucci, Colorado Springs Utilities                                                                              
  • Treasurer - Ed Perko, Pueblo Water                                                                                                                 

Directors
  • Rena Brand Griggs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife                                                                             
  • Dr. Lorenz Sutherland, Natural Resource Conservation Service, retired                      
  • John Knapp, Knapp Farms                                                                                                               
  • Rick Kienitz, Arkansas Valley Range Project                                                                      
  • Mannie Colon, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District                                   
  • Matt Heimerich, Palmer Land Trust                                                                                          
  • Al Tucker, Arkansas Basin Roundtable                                                                                    
  • Jim Valliant, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District                          
  • Jean Van Pelt, Arkansas River Basin Roundtable - PEPO                                            

Staff

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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.