DNR-Project-Final Report to Hecox

• Working Group: Public Education, Participation and Outreach
• Title: CSU Public Education Project Final Report
• Date: 6/30/2008
• Interbasin CC - Doc Type: General Resources

Colorado Water for the 21St Century
A Public Education Project
Project Final Report
2008 J u ne 30
Investigators from Colorado State University submitted a proposal to assist Basin Roundtables meet their
mandates of educating Roundtable members and Colorado's citizenry. Jeff Tranel, Rod Sharp, and Reagan
Waskom collaborated with CSU Extension liaisons to Basin Roundtables, other CSU faculty, Department of
Natural Resources personnel, and Basin Roundtable members to meet the objectives of the proposed project.
Project Principle Investigators
The principal investigators for the project work for Colorado State University. They are:
• Jeffrey E. Tranel, [e-mail]
Agricultural and Business Management Economist, Colorado State University
• Rodney L. Sharp, [e-mail]
Agricultural and Business Management Economist, Colorado State University
• Reagan Waskom, [e-mail]
Director- Water Resources Research Institute, Colorado State University
Project Summary
In Colorado, water is among the state's most important issues. Colorado House Bill 05-1177 established nine
independent basin roundtables and the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) to facilitate continued discussions
with in and between basins on water managem ent issues and to encourage locally driven collaborative solutions
to water supply challenges. This educational project allows Colorado State University to use its experienced
facultyto help the Basin Roundtables and IBCC meet mandated obligations to educate and inform the public and
to seek input from stakeholders on relevant water issues.
Scope of Work -Town Hall Meetings
A primary part of the proposed project was that Colorado State University Extension and interested Basin
Roundtables will jointly pilot townhallmeetings at four locations throughout Colorado. These meetings will serve
as forums to educate the public about the purposes and activities of the Roundtables and key water issues
pertinent to each water basin.
Arkancac Racin
The first Town Hall meeting was held in Rocky Ford (Arkansas Basin) on December 11, 2007. Tranel (project
investigator} discussed meeting location and agenda with the Arkansas Basin Roundtable Executive Com mittee.
A flyer was developed, reviewed by the Executive Comm ittee, and distributed at two Roundtable meetings and
emailed to more than 200 people and media outlets. Several email lists were provided by Eric Hecox of the
Department of Natural Resources. An advertizement was purchased in two area newspapers, and articles were
written by various news reporters in the Basin.
Despite a snow storm, 21 people registered and participated in the meeting. The agenda included presentations
about:
/ "SW SI"and "How to Access Funding Possibilities" by Gary Barber, representing the Arkansas Basin
Roundtable,
/ "Super Ditch Project" by Bill Hancock of the LowerArkansas ValleyWaterConservancyDistrict, and
/ "Roundtable Process and Additional Information" by Jeff Tranel of Colorado State University
Extension.
Mary Lou Smith facilitated a discussion of Roundtables and pertinent water issues. The participants indicated
generally that the Arkansas Basin Roundtable should work with media representatives to better promote the
Roundtables and share success stories with the public. There was some discussion about the processes for