The Water Information Program is a public information program sponsored by the water districts, organizations and agencies in the San Juan and Dolores watersheds of Southwestern Colorado. The purpose of the WIP is to provide information to the public and community on water topics and water related issues.

History

In August of 1994, the Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD), in cooperation with several water agencies and entities in southwestern Colorado, pooled their resources and created the Water Information Program (WIP). Each program partner has its own set of priorities and issues and the WIP provides an unbiased forum for communicating information. Participating partners contribute to the WIP based on their unique resources ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. In turn, the SWCD contributes a dollar-for-dollar match. In addition, the SWCD provides the equipment and office space for the WIP.

Water education is one of eight comprehensive aspects of the Colorado Water Plan to ensure a sustainable water supply for Colorado’s growing population by 2050 in a way that respects and preserves the state’s diverse values. Water education, outreach, and public engagement are critical to addressing Colorado’s significant water challenges. The Water Information Program is unique in Colorado bringing seminars, workshops and leadership programs to the public related to all aspects of our watershed and water conservation throughout the SW Basin.

The Water Information Program is a public information program sponsored by a variety of organizations that include agricultural, electric/energy, environmental, and water sectors in the nine-county Dolores/San Juan River Basin of Southwestern Colorado. The purpose of the WIP is to explain, promote, and publish objective and balanced information and educational workshops and festivals related to water in Southwestern Colorado.

The WIP operates with each participating entity having a seat on the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee meets 3-4 times per year and provides Program oversight and direction. Each member has an opportunity to share information about their organization, upcoming projects or challenges, partnering opportunities, networking and possible stories for the WIP newsletter, and has a page on the WIP website. The meetings are a great way for members to know what is going on with other organizations and in the community.

Programs and Services

Some of the programs and services that the WIP provides for the nine-county Dolores/San Juan River Basin include:

• Annual Children’s Water Festival: Conducted the first Wednesday in May each year and now reaches approximately 750 fifth grade students; nearly 100 volunteers make this fun event such an annual success;
• Annual Water 101 – 201 Seminar: We rotate the location throughout the basin; we have been fortunate enough to have Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs as our keynote speaker since we started offering this program; this workshop qualifies for eight continuing education credits (CEC) for lawyers and realtors, CEC’s for teachers, and .6 training units for water utility personnel;
• Water Law in a Nutshell Course: Is presented by Mr. Aaron Clay, Attorney at Law and former 26-year Water Referee for the Colorado Water Court, Division 4. This seminar covers all aspects of the law related to water rights and ditch rights as applied in Colorado. Subject matter includes the appropriation, perfection, use, limitations, attributes, abandonment and enforcement of various types of water rights. Additional subject matter will include special rules for groundwater, public rights in appropriated water, interstate compacts and more. Continuing Education Credits for lawyers and realtors.
• Forests-to-Faucets Teacher Training Workshop: The 9th annual workshop took place Aug. 3 – 4, 2020; this is an intensive two day, in the field training that qualifies for one continuing education credit for teachers through Adams State College, as well as ten contact hours. Since 2012, over 100 teachers have been trained in this program across the San Juan River Basin in the My Water Comes from the San Juan Mountains teacher guide, children’s book, and kit developed in 2009 and facilitated by Mountain Studies Institute, the Water Information Program, San Juan Forest Association and Ft. Lewis College;
• Website: This is a very successful website that received approximately 90,000 hits per year; in addition to current events and news, there is a plethora of useful water-related information;
• Monthly eNewsletters: An e-newsletter is produced and distributed every other month to 1200 people on the mailing list. The WIP newsletter focuses on our partners around the basin, local and statewide water related news stories, educational events and other listings. See past newsletters here;
• Brochures: On a wide variety of water-related topics (e.g., rainwater harvesting, water conservation, etc.);
• Lending Library: Now with more than 200 books and movies available for the public and water professionals to checkout;
• Water Display:Tabletop and floor water-related displays available for use at a variety of events. Used at numerous events throughout the Basin and year (e.g., SWCD Annual Seminar, local libraries, etc.); and
• Speaker Series: Talks provided throughout the Basin and year through a variety of local venues (e.g., Rotary, Life-Long Learning Series, etc.).