Board of Directors

The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum is governed by an 11-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 - Al Tucker, Arkansas Basin Roundtable         
  • Secretary - Rena Brand Griggs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife                                                                          
  • Treasurer - Matt Heimerich, Palmer Land Trust                                                                                                             

Directors                                                                         
  • Dr. Lorenz Sutherland, City of La Junta Utilities Board                     
  • John Knapp, Knapp Farms                                                                                                               
  • Israel Ortega, Arkansas Valley Range Project                                                                      
  • Mannie Colon, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District                                   
  • Jessica Mills, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District                                                                                       
  • Ryan Maecker, Colorado Springs Utilities                                                                                                                                   

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.