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: CLOSED 

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. 

​Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients 
William (“Wil​l”) Selvidge
 Colorado State University, Bachelor’s Student in Watershed Science.   Will is starting a new project this spring as part of an independent study, to investigate how different land use and climate change scenarios will impact the Arkansas River Basin water quality and quantity in the future. Using models such as the Hydraulic and Water Quality System (HAWQS), and data analysis techniques, he plans to examine different climate and land use scenarios and their potential impact on the Arkansas River Basin. In addition, Will volunteers to perform trail maintenance projects in Colorado, and has taken the initiative to revitalize CSU’s “Watershed Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Club” an important student community-building effort.
 
Osvaldo Garcilazo
Colorado State University, Master’s Student in Civil Engineering. Osvaldo is focused on hydraulics and water resources with respect to water management, irrigation efficiency, and infrastructure resilience. He has done research with AECOM and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on sediment transport and flow dynamics, which are critical for designing sustainable infrastructure in the Arkansas Basin. Osvaldo is bilingual and is actively involved in organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, where he has participated in tutoring, resume-building workshops, and philanthropy programs. Additionally, he volunteers at the Sun Valley Kitchen & Community Center, reflecting his passion for mentoring and empowering others.
​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 
  • 2025
    • William (“Will”) Selvidge, Colorado State University,  Fort Collins, Bachelor’s Student in Watershed Science
    • Osvaldo Garcilazo, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Master’s Student in Civil Engineering

    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.