2025 Scholarship Application Details
With the assistance of our sponsors, the Arkansas River Basin Water Forum (ARBWF) offers scholarships each year to students and working professionals in support of their education and research in water resources, watershed studies, hydrology, natural resources management, and other related fields.  Up to $5,000 in scholarships will be distributed between  the best applicant submissions, plus free registration and lodging to the 2025 Arkansas River Basin Water Forum to be held in Pueblo, Colorado on March 5 - 6, 2025 (attendance is encouraged, but not required).  

The requirements of the scholarship are as follows:

The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum  preference is to award scholarships to  students who are from the Arkansas Basin and/or whose work will provide a benefit to the Arkansas River Basin.

Deadline: December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm

Application materials may be sent electronically or hard-copies to:
[email protected]
ARBWF
801 Swink Ave.
Rocky Ford, CO 81067

  • You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the application.
  • Scholarship recipients will be notified by mail or email on or before February 1, 2025.
  • Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to attend the 2025 Arkansas River Basin Water Forum free of charge with paid lodging.  A great networking opportunity!  

PLEASE INCLUDE:
  • A copy of your resume with cumulative GPA, and one letter of recommendation from a professional or academic contacts.
  • The entire application must be completed for award eligibility. 
 
Past Recipients:
  • 2006 – Sosten Rivale, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
  • 2007 – None Awarded
  • 2008 – None Awarded
  • 2009 – 1st – James Wittler, University of Colorado-Boulder
    •  2nd – Kat McGarvy, Colorado State University -Pueblo
  • 2010 – 1st – Carrie Tucker, Colorado State University-Pueblo
  • 2011 – 1st – David Deitemeyer, University of Colorado -Colorado Springs
  • 2012 – 1st – Kimberly Schott, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    • 2nd – Pradeep Gautam, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    •  3rd – Matt Emmons, Colorado State University-Pueblo
  • 2013 - None Awarded
  • 2014 - None Awarded
  • 2015 - 1st - Alice Hill, University of Colorado-Boulder
    • 2nd - Elizabeth Koeble, University of Colorado-Boulder
    • 3rd - Chelsey Nutter, Colorado State University-Pueblo
  • 2016 - 1st - Ansley "AJ" Brown, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
    • 2nd - Kelsea  MacIlroy, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
  • ​2017 - 1st - John Cox, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
    • 2nd - Kelsey Cody, University of Colorado-Boulder
  • 2018/2019
    • Brian Craig, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
    • Sierra Heimel, Fort Lewis College
    • Evan Olivier, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
  • 2020
    • Ryan Bouton, International Open University Foundation with Universidad Azteca and Universidad Central de Nicaragua
    • Rehman Lund, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
  • 2021
    • Kate Hale, University of Colorado - Boulder
    • Heaven McKinley, Colorado School of Mines
    • Paradis Hosseini Ghasemabadian, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
  • 2022/2023
    • Kimmo Koponen, Colorado School of Mines PhD Student
    • Chrystal Cordova, Colorado School of Mines Masters Student
    • Semin Barlak, Colorado State University PhD Student
  •   2024
    • Jorge Santiago Ramirez Nunez, University of Colorado - Boulder
    • Leah Mickelson, Oregon State University E-Campus
    • Madelena Fetter, Colorado State University - Fort Collins 

Meet Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Thanks to the very generous support of our sponsors, since 2006, the Arkansas River Basin Water Forum has been able to award thirty scholarships to very deserving students and working professionals in support of their education and research in water resources, watershed studies, hydrology, natural resources management, and more.  Every year,  sponsors support the Water Forum with their sponsorship dollars, and in turn, we can give back to aspiring water professionals to further their water education and future career in the Arkansas River Basin. 

In January 2024,  we awarded three very deserving students scholarships to further their water education.  
Jorge "Santiago" Ramirez Nunez
CU Boulder, 2nd year PhD Student
Santiago is studying impacts to streamflow regimes due to urbanization along the Colorado Front Range. He is also researching rainwater harvesting for more efficient lawn and garden irrigation in urban settings. Santiago is bilingual and has volunteered in Mexico, focusing on water conservation and nature-based solutions in that area.
 
​Leah Mickelson
Oregon State University E-campus, Undergrad, Environmental Science
Leah’s focus is on conservation, resources, and sustainability. She is currently in an internship with River Science and River Watch in Canon City. She has assisted Canon City High School students in understanding the importance of water quality and conservation. Leah worked as a rafting guide on the Arkansas River.

Madelena Fetter
Colorado State University, Undergrad, Watershed Science
Madelena’s focus is on hydrology and data science (collection, analysis and compelling presentation of data) . She is very active in her community outside of academics and is passionate about outreach and education concerning water. Madelena worked as a rafting guide on the Cache la Poudre River.

    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.