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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />03/20/00 12:50 <br /> <br />'6'970 330 4546 <br /> <br />CCWCD <br /> <br />IaJ 006/007 <br /> <br />in Durango has been a leader in adult water education in the <br />state. They have used a variety of efforts including the World <br />Wide Web, a newspaper clipping service, brochures, newspaper <br />articles, presentations, and more to provide water information in <br />southwest Colorado. They also sponsor an annual water convention <br />attended by hundreds. The Ute Water Conservancy District has <br />been giving school group tours of their drinking water facilities <br />for years. In additipn, they have worked with local schools to <br />develop public information radio segments. <br /> <br />WRr~,.. 'P.nl1r.ilIt:inn P,...nh'rmR <br /> <br />Water education in Colorado can be a, tough business. Just ask <br />someone involved in this area if they've ever had a "turf battleu <br />over an education effort. Did someone object to certain words <br />used in a brochure, or a type of map or diagram in a newspaper <br />insert. Has anyone ewer complained about too many groups trying <br />to reach teachers and students in the state. Or criticized <br />groups for developing local curriculum because "someone has <br />already developed similar materialsH. A true challenge in our <br />state is to allow groups to develop their own water education <br />programs while not "r~inventing the wheelu. <br /> <br />Another problem has been attempts to "coordinateU water education <br />or information efforts. There are simply too many people in our <br />state, and not enough time, to develop a comprehensive, <br />coordinated, water edUcation effort in Colorado. It is vital <br />that groups share information. However, it Simply does not work <br />to have one group coordinate all water education activities in <br />the state. We simply do not have the resources. <br /> <br />~nncJ l1R; nnR <br /> <br />Water education activ~tieB in Colorado have increased at a rapid <br />rate. Local programs are being developed and water agencies are <br />becoming more involved in water education programs. This is a <br />major change from just ten years ago. Financial support has also <br />become available. The' Central Colorado Water Conservancy District <br />has been very successful in obtaining grants and in-kind <br />assistance. Large budgets are not required to start a water <br />education program. what is needed is commitment, hard work, and <br />enthusiasm. <br /> <br />A caveat. Do not use water education programs as a tool to <br />promote political agenda or projects. Kids and adults will see <br />right through an educational program that is geared to promote <br />legislation or to develop a particular water project. We must be <br />