The South Platte Forum was initiated in 1989 to provide an avenue for a timely, multi-disciplinary exchange of information and ideas important to resource management in the South Platte River Basin. Its stated mandates are:
- to enhance the effective management of natural resources in the South Platte River Basin by promoting coordination between state, federal and local resource managers, and private enterprise, and
- to promote the interchange of ideas among disciplines to increase awareness and understanding of South Platte River Basin issues and public values.
South Platte Forum Planning Committee
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Jason Marks, Chair
Denver Water 1600 West 12th Ave. Denver, CO 80254 (303) 628-6528 jason.marks@denverwater.org Nancy Bauch US Geological Survey PO Box 25046, MS 415 Lakewood, CO 80225 (303) 236-6873 njbauch@usgs.gov Pete Conovitz Colorado Parks and Wildlife 317 W. Prospect Fort Collins, CO 80526 (970) 472-4356 pete.conovitz@state.co.us Sean Cronin St. Vrain & Left Hand WCD 9595 Nelson Rd, Ste. 203 Longmont, CO 80501 (303) 772-4060 sean.cronin@svlhwcd.org |
Thomas Econopouly
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Water Resources Division Division of Water Resources, Region 6 P.O. Box 25486 Mail Stop: 60189 Denver, CO 80225 thomas_econopouly@fws.gov Joshua Godwin Aurora Water 15151 East Alameda Pkwy. Aurora, CO 80012 (720) 859-4307 jgodwin@auroragov.org Peter Ismert Watershed Team, EPA Region 8 1595 Wynkoop Street (8EPR-EP) Denver, CO 80202 (303) 312-6215 ismert.peter@epa.gov |
Jeff Stahla
Northern Water 220 Water Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 622-2229 jstahla@northernwater.org Judy Skram, Treasurer Northern Water 220 Water Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 622-2229 jskram@northernwater.org David Skuodas Urban Drainage and Flood Control District 2480 W. 26th Ave. Suite 156-B Denver, CO 80211 (303) 455-6277 dskuodas@udfcd.org |
Erik Wardle
CSU Extension Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170 (970) 491-4923 erik.wardle@colostate.edu Reagan Waskom Colorado Water Institute 1033 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1033 (970) 491-6308 reagan.waskom@colostate.edu Brian Werner Northern Water 220 Water Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 622-2229 bwerner@northernwater.org |
Marissa Jacobs, Conference Coordinator
Sagebrush Events
303-859-1734
marissa@sagebrushevents.com
Email
Sagebrush Events
303-859-1734
marissa@sagebrushevents.com
Interested in Joining the South Platte Forum Planning Committee?
We'd love to hear from you! Email southplatteforum@gmail.com with your bio and area of expertise and we'll be in touch.
We'd love to hear from you! Email southplatteforum@gmail.com with your bio and area of expertise and we'll be in touch.
Committee Bios
Jason Marks, Chair
As part of Denver Water’s Environmental Planning team, Jason works alongside planners, engineers and operations staff to secure necessary permitting and authorizations for planned infrastructural projects. He also represents Denver Water on the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group and the Platte River Recover Implementation Program.
Jason migrated to the Front Range, and Denver Water, just a couple of years ago. Prior to coming to work for Denver Water, he spent 17 years at a consulting firm in Summit County that specialized in ski area planning. He’s excited to live and learn in the South Platte Basin, and to apply his experience in project management, permitting and agency coordination to the Water World.
As part of Denver Water’s Environmental Planning team, Jason works alongside planners, engineers and operations staff to secure necessary permitting and authorizations for planned infrastructural projects. He also represents Denver Water on the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group and the Platte River Recover Implementation Program.
Jason migrated to the Front Range, and Denver Water, just a couple of years ago. Prior to coming to work for Denver Water, he spent 17 years at a consulting firm in Summit County that specialized in ski area planning. He’s excited to live and learn in the South Platte Basin, and to apply his experience in project management, permitting and agency coordination to the Water World.
Nancy Bauch
Nancy Bauch has been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Colorado Water Science Center since 1994, specializing in the quality of surface water and groundwater. Most project work has been for the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, primarily in the South Platte and Colorado River Basins. Recent project work has been public-supply well sampling in the Rio Grande, High Plains, and Colorado Plateaus aquifer systems for the NAWQA Program and updating a groundwater protection plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Nancy has been on the South Platte Forum planning committee since 2014.
Nancy Bauch has been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Colorado Water Science Center since 1994, specializing in the quality of surface water and groundwater. Most project work has been for the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, primarily in the South Platte and Colorado River Basins. Recent project work has been public-supply well sampling in the Rio Grande, High Plains, and Colorado Plateaus aquifer systems for the NAWQA Program and updating a groundwater protection plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Nancy has been on the South Platte Forum planning committee since 2014.
Pete Conovitz
Pete is the Water Resources Specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region and is responsible for the management and administration of water resources and water development on state wildlife areas and fish hatcheries in the South Platte Basin. This includes new water appropriations, accounting and administration, legal protection, habitat development, and providing technical assistance to regional staff on issues related to water use and administration. He also works on fish and wildlife mitigation planning and implementation that is associated with new and proposed water projects in the basin. Pete received his B.S. in Geology from Tufts University and M.S. in Watershed Science from CSU.
Pete is the Water Resources Specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region and is responsible for the management and administration of water resources and water development on state wildlife areas and fish hatcheries in the South Platte Basin. This includes new water appropriations, accounting and administration, legal protection, habitat development, and providing technical assistance to regional staff on issues related to water use and administration. He also works on fish and wildlife mitigation planning and implementation that is associated with new and proposed water projects in the basin. Pete received his B.S. in Geology from Tufts University and M.S. in Watershed Science from CSU.
Sean Cronin
Sean is the Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. He has 20 plus years experience in water resource planning and policy. Sean earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and spent two years as a Natural Resources Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service before moving to Colorado. Prior to joining the District, Sean spent 13 years with the City of Greeley, including the last six as their Water Resources Manager.
Sean serves on the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC), is the past chair of the South Platte Basin Roundtable, and serves on the Loveland Utilities Commission. Sean is a recipient of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education – Emerging Leader Award, and under Sean’s direction his District received a Collaboration Award from the Special District Association. Sean lives in his adopted home of Colorado with his wife and two children.
When Sean isn’t spending time with family and other activities, you can find him on a river trying to master the art of making a trout rise.
Sean is the Executive Director for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. He has 20 plus years experience in water resource planning and policy. Sean earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and spent two years as a Natural Resources Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service before moving to Colorado. Prior to joining the District, Sean spent 13 years with the City of Greeley, including the last six as their Water Resources Manager.
Sean serves on the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC), is the past chair of the South Platte Basin Roundtable, and serves on the Loveland Utilities Commission. Sean is a recipient of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education – Emerging Leader Award, and under Sean’s direction his District received a Collaboration Award from the Special District Association. Sean lives in his adopted home of Colorado with his wife and two children.
When Sean isn’t spending time with family and other activities, you can find him on a river trying to master the art of making a trout rise.
Thomas Econopouly
As a Hydrologist with the Fish & Wildlife Service, Tom provides water resources expertise to the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and other river programs within the Mountain and Prairie Region.
As a Hydrologist with the Fish & Wildlife Service, Tom provides water resources expertise to the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and other river programs within the Mountain and Prairie Region.
Joshua Godwin
Joshua Godwin is the geohyrologist for Aurora Water. Joshua holds a bachelor's and master's in Civil Engineering, both focusing in groundwater, from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Aurora Water, Joshua worked for an engineering firm in Florida simulating and mapping floodplains. Before Florida, Joshua worked for an environmental firm in New Jersey developing groundwater models for expert testimony, hazardous waste cleanup, and municipal supply.
Joshua Godwin is the geohyrologist for Aurora Water. Joshua holds a bachelor's and master's in Civil Engineering, both focusing in groundwater, from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Aurora Water, Joshua worked for an engineering firm in Florida simulating and mapping floodplains. Before Florida, Joshua worked for an environmental firm in New Jersey developing groundwater models for expert testimony, hazardous waste cleanup, and municipal supply.
Peter Ismert
Peter has been an Environmental Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 in Denver, CO for 26 years. He works in the Office of Water Protection and is a member of the Watershed Planning and Restoration Unit. Peter works directly with the State of Colorado to implement the State’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and is the project officer for the annual Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant to the State. He also assists the Oglala Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne Tribes in developing and implementing their water quality programs. Prior to working in the water programs, Peter was a Remedial Project Manager in the Superfund program. Peter has a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Colorado State University.
Peter has been an Environmental Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 in Denver, CO for 26 years. He works in the Office of Water Protection and is a member of the Watershed Planning and Restoration Unit. Peter works directly with the State of Colorado to implement the State’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and is the project officer for the annual Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant to the State. He also assists the Oglala Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne Tribes in developing and implementing their water quality programs. Prior to working in the water programs, Peter was a Remedial Project Manager in the Superfund program. Peter has a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Colorado State University.
David Skuodas
Dave Skuodas works at the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (District), where he manages design, construction, and maintenance projects in Adams and Boulder Counties. David has particular expertise in stormwater. He has worked at the District for the past 7 years. Dave has the privilege of working with fun, passionate, and cohesive teams of experts to build amazing projects that make the community safer, healthier, and more beautiful. Prior to working at the District he was an engineering consultant for 9 years in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Dave received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in December of 2000, is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Floodplain Manager, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a Toastmasters Competent Communicator.
Dave Skuodas works at the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (District), where he manages design, construction, and maintenance projects in Adams and Boulder Counties. David has particular expertise in stormwater. He has worked at the District for the past 7 years. Dave has the privilege of working with fun, passionate, and cohesive teams of experts to build amazing projects that make the community safer, healthier, and more beautiful. Prior to working at the District he was an engineering consultant for 9 years in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Dave received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in December of 2000, is a registered Professional Engineer, a Certified Floodplain Manager, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a Toastmasters Competent Communicator.
Jeff Stahla
Jeff Stahla is the Public Information Coordinator for Northern Water, which provides water to Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, many smaller communities, rural and domestic water districts and local industries. Before joining Northern Water, Stahla had been a journalist in the region for more than 20 years, most recently serving as the editor of the Loveland Reporter-Herald. He lives in Loveland.
Jeff Stahla is the Public Information Coordinator for Northern Water, which provides water to Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, many smaller communities, rural and domestic water districts and local industries. Before joining Northern Water, Stahla had been a journalist in the region for more than 20 years, most recently serving as the editor of the Loveland Reporter-Herald. He lives in Loveland.
Erik Wardle
Erik is a water quality agronomist in the Department of Soil and Crop Science’s Water Quality Program at Colorado State University. In this position he does extensive research, writing and Extension work related to agricultural water quality issues including; pesticide use, nutrient management, soil moisture monitoring, groundwater/surface water interactions, conservation tillage, and irrigation water management. He supports the development, validation, and promotion of agricultural Best Management Practices that allow chemical handlers to use these products appropriately while preventing the contamination of surface and groundwater in Colorado. He works closely with the agricultural community to ensure that research and outreach efforts provide practical, real world solutions to water quality issues in agriculture.
Erik is a water quality agronomist in the Department of Soil and Crop Science’s Water Quality Program at Colorado State University. In this position he does extensive research, writing and Extension work related to agricultural water quality issues including; pesticide use, nutrient management, soil moisture monitoring, groundwater/surface water interactions, conservation tillage, and irrigation water management. He supports the development, validation, and promotion of agricultural Best Management Practices that allow chemical handlers to use these products appropriately while preventing the contamination of surface and groundwater in Colorado. He works closely with the agricultural community to ensure that research and outreach efforts provide practical, real world solutions to water quality issues in agriculture.
Reagan Waskom
Reagan Waskom currently serves as the Director of the Colorado Water Institute and the Chair of the Colorado State University Water Center. Dr. Waskom is a member of the Department of Soil & Crop Sciences at CSU, where he has worked on various water related research and outreach programs for the past 27 years, conducting statewide educational and applied research programs on water quality, water quantity, water policy and natural resource issues related to water use. His current teaching responsibility at CSU is for GRAD592 the Graduate Water Resources Seminar. In addition, Dr. Waskom oversees the CSU Extension Water Outreach program and personnel. Dr. Waskom's current research emphasis is on the integrated use of surface and groundwater in the S. Platte Basin, the impacts of shale gas development on water resources, and agricultural water conservation in the Colorado River basin. Reagan received his BS and MS degrees from Texas A&M University and his PhD from Colorado State University.
Reagan Waskom currently serves as the Director of the Colorado Water Institute and the Chair of the Colorado State University Water Center. Dr. Waskom is a member of the Department of Soil & Crop Sciences at CSU, where he has worked on various water related research and outreach programs for the past 27 years, conducting statewide educational and applied research programs on water quality, water quantity, water policy and natural resource issues related to water use. His current teaching responsibility at CSU is for GRAD592 the Graduate Water Resources Seminar. In addition, Dr. Waskom oversees the CSU Extension Water Outreach program and personnel. Dr. Waskom's current research emphasis is on the integrated use of surface and groundwater in the S. Platte Basin, the impacts of shale gas development on water resources, and agricultural water conservation in the Colorado River basin. Reagan received his BS and MS degrees from Texas A&M University and his PhD from Colorado State University.
Brian Werner
Brian is a native Coloradoan and water historian who has spent 36 years actively involved in water resources management in Colorado. He is the Public Information Officer and Head of the Communications and Records Department for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Berthoud.
Brian is a native Coloradoan and water historian who has spent 36 years actively involved in water resources management in Colorado. He is the Public Information Officer and Head of the Communications and Records Department for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Berthoud.