Stay tuned for the 2021 SPF Conference Program
2019 Conference Program - Wednesday
Join us after the conference on Wednesday from 4:30-7:30PM at Fat Cats (10685 Westminster Boulevard) for a reception featuring bowling, snacks, drinks, trivia and great networking, brought to you by Colorado Water Congress POND (Professional, Outreach, Networking and Development) Committee.
Not able to attend the conference but want to attend the POND event? That's great!
Not able to attend the conference but want to attend the POND event? That's great!
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
Speaker Bios
Speaker Bios
Opening Keynote
Brian Werner
Northern Water
Brian, a native Coloradoan and water historian, has spent 37 years actively communicating water information to the public. He is the Public Information Officer and Communications Department Manager for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Berthoud, CO.
Brian was a member of the South Platte Forum’s original steering committee in 1989 and served on the board for 15 years. He has attended all but one SPF conference.
Brian was born and raised in Colorado Springs. His father was a professor and chair of the Business and Economics Department at Colorado College for 38 years. Brian attended the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University, earning undergrad and master’s degrees in history.
Brian will retire at the end of 2019. He plans to relax and spend more quality time with his wife Tina, three grown daughters and five grandchildren. In addition, he hopes to explore new golf courses, fish Colorado’s amazing rivers, watch neglected tv shows and movies, read more, write more and take pictures of exotic animals while traveling to distant lands.
Northern Water
Brian, a native Coloradoan and water historian, has spent 37 years actively communicating water information to the public. He is the Public Information Officer and Communications Department Manager for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Berthoud, CO.
Brian was a member of the South Platte Forum’s original steering committee in 1989 and served on the board for 15 years. He has attended all but one SPF conference.
Brian was born and raised in Colorado Springs. His father was a professor and chair of the Business and Economics Department at Colorado College for 38 years. Brian attended the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University, earning undergrad and master’s degrees in history.
Brian will retire at the end of 2019. He plans to relax and spend more quality time with his wife Tina, three grown daughters and five grandchildren. In addition, he hopes to explore new golf courses, fish Colorado’s amazing rivers, watch neglected tv shows and movies, read more, write more and take pictures of exotic animals while traveling to distant lands.
The Changing Face of Agriculture in the South Platte Basin
Keynote: Commissioner Kate Greenberg
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture
Kate Greenberg was appointed the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture by Governor Jared Polis in December 2018. As Commissioner, Greenberg leads the Department’s daily operations, directs its 300 employees, and oversees the agency’s eight divisions: Animal Health, Brand Inspection, Colorado State Fair, Conservation Services, Inspection and Consumer Services, Laboratory Services, Markets, and Plant Industry.
“For the last ten years, I have dedicated my work to those who work the land. Throughout that time, I have sat around dozens of kitchen tables, worked with hundreds of farmers and ranchers, and have been a fierce advocate for family agriculture and its essential role in what we value most about Colorado,” said Greenberg. “I have worked the land, and worked on behalf of those that work the land. I have no delusion that the challenges family agriculture faces in this state and nation are deeply complex, or that the responsibility to deliver smart, innovative, and bold ways forward for Colorado agriculture is urgent."
Most recently, Greenberg was the Western Program Director for National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) where she was involved in water issues. This includes working closely with Colorado's Basin Roundtables and being involved with the state’s Water Plan and Colorado River Basin water policy. Over the last six years, she has worked with producers across Colorado to reshape policies and programs at the state and federal level that will enable more family producers to make a living for themselves and their families on the land. This has included working on issues of farmland affordability, agriculture education, access to capital and credit, and Food Safety Modernization Act compliance.
In February 2011, Greenberg joined the Sonoran Institute, which connects people and communities with their natural resources. As the Restoration Field assistant, she managed a native tree greenhouse and seed-saving program as part of an international project. Her career has also included managing natural resources field programs at Whitman College and working full-time on a direct market farm in Western Washington. This work, in addition to her time working on farms in Eastern Washington, Northern California, and the Southwest, established her commitment to bridging the gap between urban consumers, conservation, and the agricultural community, which she feels is essential to ensuring a future with agriculture in Colorado.
Greenberg also has a lengthy list of awards and community involvement:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agmain/commissioner-kate-greenberg
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture
Kate Greenberg was appointed the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture by Governor Jared Polis in December 2018. As Commissioner, Greenberg leads the Department’s daily operations, directs its 300 employees, and oversees the agency’s eight divisions: Animal Health, Brand Inspection, Colorado State Fair, Conservation Services, Inspection and Consumer Services, Laboratory Services, Markets, and Plant Industry.
“For the last ten years, I have dedicated my work to those who work the land. Throughout that time, I have sat around dozens of kitchen tables, worked with hundreds of farmers and ranchers, and have been a fierce advocate for family agriculture and its essential role in what we value most about Colorado,” said Greenberg. “I have worked the land, and worked on behalf of those that work the land. I have no delusion that the challenges family agriculture faces in this state and nation are deeply complex, or that the responsibility to deliver smart, innovative, and bold ways forward for Colorado agriculture is urgent."
Most recently, Greenberg was the Western Program Director for National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) where she was involved in water issues. This includes working closely with Colorado's Basin Roundtables and being involved with the state’s Water Plan and Colorado River Basin water policy. Over the last six years, she has worked with producers across Colorado to reshape policies and programs at the state and federal level that will enable more family producers to make a living for themselves and their families on the land. This has included working on issues of farmland affordability, agriculture education, access to capital and credit, and Food Safety Modernization Act compliance.
In February 2011, Greenberg joined the Sonoran Institute, which connects people and communities with their natural resources. As the Restoration Field assistant, she managed a native tree greenhouse and seed-saving program as part of an international project. Her career has also included managing natural resources field programs at Whitman College and working full-time on a direct market farm in Western Washington. This work, in addition to her time working on farms in Eastern Washington, Northern California, and the Southwest, established her commitment to bridging the gap between urban consumers, conservation, and the agricultural community, which she feels is essential to ensuring a future with agriculture in Colorado.
Greenberg also has a lengthy list of awards and community involvement:
- Quivira Coalition, Board Chair since December 2016 and Board member since 2013
- Southwest Basin Roundtable, Liaison since January 2015
- Southwest Farm Fresh Coop, Former Board Member
- “Conservation Generation: How Young Farmers and Ranchers are Essential to Tackling Water Scarcity in the Arid West,” 2016 NYFC report
- “Emerging Leader Award” by the Western Resource Advocates, 2016
- Nominated as “Climate Trailblazer” by the office of California Governor Jerry Brown, September 2018
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agmain/commissioner-kate-greenberg
Don Ament
Don Ament served as the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture for eight years under Governor Bill Owens’ administration. Don served twelve years in the Colorado General Assembly, chairing the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee and the Capital Development Committee. Prior to his election to the State Legislature Don served for five years on the State Board of Education, four of them as chairman. He also served fourteen years on the RE-1 Valley School Board in Sterling, and is a former president of the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Nationally, Ament chaired the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Task Force on Agriculture, and is considered an expert in areas of water and property rights. He served as Chair of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee, President of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA), and is the Governor’s appointee as Colorado’s representative on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Governance Committee with Nebraska and Wyoming.
Don Ament is a spokesperson for agriculture and natural resources, and an advocate for wise utilization of water and forest resources and property rights. He believes in promoting the importance of the agricultural industry and the role it plays in preserving our quality of life. Don supports innovative ideas to increase and improve production agriculture and the utilization of new technology to insure and improve our quality of life.
Ament has lived his entire life in Colorado, having majored in engineering and minored in instrumental music from the University of Colorado, Don continues to farm and ranch in Northeast Colorado. He and his wife, Patty, have three grown children, and seven grandchildren.
Don Ament served as the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture for eight years under Governor Bill Owens’ administration. Don served twelve years in the Colorado General Assembly, chairing the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee and the Capital Development Committee. Prior to his election to the State Legislature Don served for five years on the State Board of Education, four of them as chairman. He also served fourteen years on the RE-1 Valley School Board in Sterling, and is a former president of the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Nationally, Ament chaired the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Task Force on Agriculture, and is considered an expert in areas of water and property rights. He served as Chair of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee, President of the Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA), and is the Governor’s appointee as Colorado’s representative on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Governance Committee with Nebraska and Wyoming.
Don Ament is a spokesperson for agriculture and natural resources, and an advocate for wise utilization of water and forest resources and property rights. He believes in promoting the importance of the agricultural industry and the role it plays in preserving our quality of life. Don supports innovative ideas to increase and improve production agriculture and the utilization of new technology to insure and improve our quality of life.
Ament has lived his entire life in Colorado, having majored in engineering and minored in instrumental music from the University of Colorado, Don continues to farm and ranch in Northeast Colorado. He and his wife, Patty, have three grown children, and seven grandchildren.
Tony Miller
First FarmBank
Tony Miller is Executive Vice President of First FarmBank, an independent community bank with headquarters in Greeley and branches in Yuma and Sterling, Colorado, and Tribune, Kansas. He has been with First FarmBank since its formation in 2006. Mr. Miller has been involved in banking in Northern Colorado since 1981, and has been in Greeley since 1984.
Mr. Miller was appointed to the Greeley Water & Sewer Board in July 2013. His strong interest in water comes from being a life long resident of the front range of Northern Colorado with an agricultural background and a belief in prudent oversight of water resource management and beneficial use of this valuable resource.
Mr. Miller has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University, and has completed numerous banking related programs.
Mr. Miller served as Chairman of the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee for 11 years, and is a member of the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce Local Government and Business Affairs Committee. He has served as Secretary / Treasurer and Executive Committee Member for the Colorado Farm Show, and is currently a Director of the Greeley Rotary Club.
First FarmBank
Tony Miller is Executive Vice President of First FarmBank, an independent community bank with headquarters in Greeley and branches in Yuma and Sterling, Colorado, and Tribune, Kansas. He has been with First FarmBank since its formation in 2006. Mr. Miller has been involved in banking in Northern Colorado since 1981, and has been in Greeley since 1984.
Mr. Miller was appointed to the Greeley Water & Sewer Board in July 2013. His strong interest in water comes from being a life long resident of the front range of Northern Colorado with an agricultural background and a belief in prudent oversight of water resource management and beneficial use of this valuable resource.
Mr. Miller has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University, and has completed numerous banking related programs.
Mr. Miller served as Chairman of the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee for 11 years, and is a member of the Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce Local Government and Business Affairs Committee. He has served as Secretary / Treasurer and Executive Committee Member for the Colorado Farm Show, and is currently a Director of the Greeley Rotary Club.
Economics of Water - What's a Drop of Water Worth?
Ryan Shepler
Denver Water
Ryan Shepler is a Senior Demand Planner at Denver Water. At Denver Water, he conducts technical
modeling and analysis of customer water use to help inform short-term and long-term planning
decisions. Prior to Denver Water, he spent several years working for WestWater Research, a water
resource economics consulting firm. He has a Master in Agricultural and Resource Economics, where is
his research focused on the socio-economic factors influencing groundwater use and the adoption of
sustainable groundwater management policies.
Denver Water
Ryan Shepler is a Senior Demand Planner at Denver Water. At Denver Water, he conducts technical
modeling and analysis of customer water use to help inform short-term and long-term planning
decisions. Prior to Denver Water, he spent several years working for WestWater Research, a water
resource economics consulting firm. He has a Master in Agricultural and Resource Economics, where is
his research focused on the socio-economic factors influencing groundwater use and the adoption of
sustainable groundwater management policies.
Jeff Shoemaker
The Greenway Foundation
Since 1982, Jeff Shoemaker has been the Executive Director of The Greenway Foundation (TGF). Under the course of his leadership, TGF has partnered with countless public and private organizations to collectively create over $750 Million of environmental, recreational, water quality and flood contorl improvements along the South Platte River and its numerous tributaries throughout the Metro Denver Area and beyond. These priceless amenities include the watersheds of the C&C of Denver, along with Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas and Jefferson Counties, as well as a larger number of related municipalities. This collective investment over the last four decades to the reclamation and preservation of the related community’s greatest natural resources is directly connected to the creation of over $30 Billion of additional economic development and related benefit to the surrounding area. The Metro Denver Area’s waterways are now home to over 100 miles of multi-use recreational trails, over 100 acres of parks and natural areas and over 100,000 A.F. of enhancements to these rivers and creeks in terms of both water quality and water quantity enhancements.
TGF has also created and oversees the most recognized award-winning Environmental Education Program in Colorado – SPREE (South Platte River Environmental Education). In addition, TGF has been the vision behind the creation of an innovative initiative to engage the private, public and political communities in critical water quality and water quantity policy issues - TWC (The Water Connection). Finally, TGF engages in numerous cultural and community events, along with a variety of youth employment opportunities, all focused on engaging the Metro Denver community (and beyond) with their greatest natural resources – our urban and regional waterways.
Examples of water-based initiative milestones involving Jeff’s role as TGF’s E.D. over the last 3+ decades include:
Since 2000, Jeff has also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Parks Foundation (CPF) which, working with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) as well as numerous county, municipal and non-profit organizations, provides funding, advocacy and community outreach for the benefit of Colorado’s 42 State Parks along with local and regional parks across the State of Colorado. To date, the CPF has provided over $1,000,000 of project and program based grants since its inception in 1985. In 2010, the CPF coordinated the procedural and legislative processes resulting in the creation of a Colorado State Parks License Plate, allowing supporters of State Parks across Colorado and beyond to promote and advocate that support through the purchase of a State Parks Plate. Over 3,500 Colorado residents are now proud owners of the Colorado State Parks Plate with related proceeds providing additional financial support to Colorado State Parks which, to date, has witnessed over $20,000 of grants to State Parks across Colorado.
Jeff is a proud graduate of Denver Public Schools and the University of Colorado. He was a public school teacher from 1978-1982, served as a Republican member of the Colorado Legislature from 1987-1992 and was appointed to two terms on the CSU Board of Trustees from 1999-2008. Jeff was appointed to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees in 2016 and also serves as the President of a local non-profit organization, Up Close and Musical, which provides professional performances of classical music to elementary schools by Colorado Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Jeff and his wife Nancy (a recently retired R.N., now the owner of Care By Design, LLC – providing care and engagement for seniors throughout the Metro Denver area) are active runners and bicyclists and are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two exceedingly beautiful and extremely intelligent granddaughters.
The Greenway Foundation
Since 1982, Jeff Shoemaker has been the Executive Director of The Greenway Foundation (TGF). Under the course of his leadership, TGF has partnered with countless public and private organizations to collectively create over $750 Million of environmental, recreational, water quality and flood contorl improvements along the South Platte River and its numerous tributaries throughout the Metro Denver Area and beyond. These priceless amenities include the watersheds of the C&C of Denver, along with Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas and Jefferson Counties, as well as a larger number of related municipalities. This collective investment over the last four decades to the reclamation and preservation of the related community’s greatest natural resources is directly connected to the creation of over $30 Billion of additional economic development and related benefit to the surrounding area. The Metro Denver Area’s waterways are now home to over 100 miles of multi-use recreational trails, over 100 acres of parks and natural areas and over 100,000 A.F. of enhancements to these rivers and creeks in terms of both water quality and water quantity enhancements.
TGF has also created and oversees the most recognized award-winning Environmental Education Program in Colorado – SPREE (South Platte River Environmental Education). In addition, TGF has been the vision behind the creation of an innovative initiative to engage the private, public and political communities in critical water quality and water quantity policy issues - TWC (The Water Connection). Finally, TGF engages in numerous cultural and community events, along with a variety of youth employment opportunities, all focused on engaging the Metro Denver community (and beyond) with their greatest natural resources – our urban and regional waterways.
Examples of water-based initiative milestones involving Jeff’s role as TGF’s E.D. over the last 3+ decades include:
- Mayor Webb’s South Platte River Vision Initiative
- River North Greenway Master Plan (RiNo)
- Numerous EPA initiatives:
- Numerous CWCB/CPW/CDPHE initiatives
- Chatfield Reallocation Project
- Related Environmental Pool Initiative
- River South Greenway Master Plan (RiSo)
- River Vision Implementation Plan (RVIP)
- USACE Partnerships
- Colfax Reach Project
- Denver County Reach Project
- Urban Waterways Project (ongoing)
- Cherry Creek South Project (Cherry Creek State Park–Castlewood Canyon State Park)
- Bear Creek and Sanderson Gulch Greenway Implementation Project
- Clear Creek Greenway Design Project
- Cherry Creek Stewardship Partnership
- Cherry Creek Area Implementation Plan .
Since 2000, Jeff has also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Parks Foundation (CPF) which, working with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) as well as numerous county, municipal and non-profit organizations, provides funding, advocacy and community outreach for the benefit of Colorado’s 42 State Parks along with local and regional parks across the State of Colorado. To date, the CPF has provided over $1,000,000 of project and program based grants since its inception in 1985. In 2010, the CPF coordinated the procedural and legislative processes resulting in the creation of a Colorado State Parks License Plate, allowing supporters of State Parks across Colorado and beyond to promote and advocate that support through the purchase of a State Parks Plate. Over 3,500 Colorado residents are now proud owners of the Colorado State Parks Plate with related proceeds providing additional financial support to Colorado State Parks which, to date, has witnessed over $20,000 of grants to State Parks across Colorado.
Jeff is a proud graduate of Denver Public Schools and the University of Colorado. He was a public school teacher from 1978-1982, served as a Republican member of the Colorado Legislature from 1987-1992 and was appointed to two terms on the CSU Board of Trustees from 1999-2008. Jeff was appointed to the MSU Denver Board of Trustees in 2016 and also serves as the President of a local non-profit organization, Up Close and Musical, which provides professional performances of classical music to elementary schools by Colorado Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Jeff and his wife Nancy (a recently retired R.N., now the owner of Care By Design, LLC – providing care and engagement for seniors throughout the Metro Denver area) are active runners and bicyclists and are the proud parents of four adult daughters and two exceedingly beautiful and extremely intelligent granddaughters.
Molly Mugglestone
Business for Water Stewardship
Molly Mugglestone is the Director of Colorado Policy and Communications for Business for Water Stewardship and has been with the team for 8 years building the business voice for the Colorado River. She has 20 years of public policy, nonprofit advocacy and public affairs experience and spent 6 of those years teaching American Government, Environmental Policy and other areas of government at the university level. She has a Master in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.
Business for Water Stewardship
Molly Mugglestone is the Director of Colorado Policy and Communications for Business for Water Stewardship and has been with the team for 8 years building the business voice for the Colorado River. She has 20 years of public policy, nonprofit advocacy and public affairs experience and spent 6 of those years teaching American Government, Environmental Policy and other areas of government at the university level. She has a Master in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.
Greg Dewey
Northern Water
Greg Dewey is a project manager with Northern Water, where he addresses agricultural aspects of the Northern Integrated Supply Project. He was raised as a farm kid in northeastern Colorado, working with his family and their multi-generational ag operations. Greg earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Prior to joining Northern Water, Greg worked as a consulting engineer as well as for local, state, federal government agencies addressing various water resources issues including: water rights, demand planning, hydrology, civil design/construction, conservation, crop consumptive use, source water protection, quality, treatment and environmental permitting.
Northern Water
Greg Dewey is a project manager with Northern Water, where he addresses agricultural aspects of the Northern Integrated Supply Project. He was raised as a farm kid in northeastern Colorado, working with his family and their multi-generational ag operations. Greg earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Prior to joining Northern Water, Greg worked as a consulting engineer as well as for local, state, federal government agencies addressing various water resources issues including: water rights, demand planning, hydrology, civil design/construction, conservation, crop consumptive use, source water protection, quality, treatment and environmental permitting.
2019 Friends of the South Platte Award
Recipients: Joe Frank & Jim Yahn
Joseph (Joe) M. Frank, P.E.
Mr. Frank is a Colorado native and has served as general manager of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District since May, 2004. He represents the District on the South Platte Basin Roundtable where he served as Chair in 2015 and 2016. He has been on the board of directors of the Colorado Water Congress since 2005 and served as President in 2011. Through the District, he also manages the Northeast Colorado Water Cooperative and the District 64 Reservoir Company, coordinates and develops water accounting for numerous augmentation plans, and provides technical assistance and coordination in developing and operating various water supply projects. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1998 and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado. He lives southwest of Sterling, Colorado near Merino with his wife Kori and their five boys.
Mr. Frank is a Colorado native and has served as general manager of the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District since May, 2004. He represents the District on the South Platte Basin Roundtable where he served as Chair in 2015 and 2016. He has been on the board of directors of the Colorado Water Congress since 2005 and served as President in 2011. Through the District, he also manages the Northeast Colorado Water Cooperative and the District 64 Reservoir Company, coordinates and develops water accounting for numerous augmentation plans, and provides technical assistance and coordination in developing and operating various water supply projects. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1998 and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado. He lives southwest of Sterling, Colorado near Merino with his wife Kori and their five boys.
Jim Yahn
Jim Yahn is the manager of the North Sterling and Prewitt Reservoirs, a position that he has held for over 27 years. He is responsible for overseeing the diversion and distribution of water to over 350 farmers. Together the reservoirs are a source of irrigation water for approximately 70,000 acres.
Jim is a registered professional engineer, receiving his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Colorado State University. Prior to his employment with the North Sterling and Prewitt he worked as a private consulting engineer in Fort Collins for 5 years. He is a native of Colorado growing up on a family ranch, which used water from the North Sterling Reservoir System.
In June of 2016, Jim was appointed by the Governor to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to serve as the South Platte Director. He was reappointed in April of 2018 and is the past Chairman of the Board. Jim has been a member of the South Platte Basin Roundtable since its inception in 2005, served as chair from 2009 – 2012, and currently serves as the roundtable’s representative to the Interbasin Compact Committee. Jim and his wife Tracy farm and ranch in their spare time and are the parents of two grown children, Hannah and Austin.
Jim Yahn is the manager of the North Sterling and Prewitt Reservoirs, a position that he has held for over 27 years. He is responsible for overseeing the diversion and distribution of water to over 350 farmers. Together the reservoirs are a source of irrigation water for approximately 70,000 acres.
Jim is a registered professional engineer, receiving his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Colorado State University. Prior to his employment with the North Sterling and Prewitt he worked as a private consulting engineer in Fort Collins for 5 years. He is a native of Colorado growing up on a family ranch, which used water from the North Sterling Reservoir System.
In June of 2016, Jim was appointed by the Governor to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to serve as the South Platte Director. He was reappointed in April of 2018 and is the past Chairman of the Board. Jim has been a member of the South Platte Basin Roundtable since its inception in 2005, served as chair from 2009 – 2012, and currently serves as the roundtable’s representative to the Interbasin Compact Committee. Jim and his wife Tracy farm and ranch in their spare time and are the parents of two grown children, Hannah and Austin.
South Platte River - Keeping it Healthy
Ryan Taylor
Muller Engineering
Ryan Taylor is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Colorado and received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and master’s degree in hydrology and hydraulics from the University of Colorado Denver. Starting his career as a student intern for the Mile High Flood District (formerly the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District), Ryan then joined Muller Engineering Company in 2012.
In his time at Muller, Ryan has primarily focused on stream restoration within the urban environment, with a strong interest in effective watershed management through land use planning, runoff reduction practices, and green stormwater infrastructure.
Through the belief of celebrating stormwater as an amenity and integrating community benefits into his projects, Ryan has been fortunate enough to be involved with several award winning projects including the Westminster Station Park (2017 CASFM Project of the Year & 2019 ACEC National Honor Award for Engineering Excellence), and the River North Stormwater Outfall at 33rd Street (2018 Denver Mayor’s Design Award).
Muller Engineering
Ryan Taylor is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Colorado and received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and master’s degree in hydrology and hydraulics from the University of Colorado Denver. Starting his career as a student intern for the Mile High Flood District (formerly the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District), Ryan then joined Muller Engineering Company in 2012.
In his time at Muller, Ryan has primarily focused on stream restoration within the urban environment, with a strong interest in effective watershed management through land use planning, runoff reduction practices, and green stormwater infrastructure.
Through the belief of celebrating stormwater as an amenity and integrating community benefits into his projects, Ryan has been fortunate enough to be involved with several award winning projects including the Westminster Station Park (2017 CASFM Project of the Year & 2019 ACEC National Honor Award for Engineering Excellence), and the River North Stormwater Outfall at 33rd Street (2018 Denver Mayor’s Design Award).
Mary Powell
Corvus
Mary L. Powell is the founder of CORVUS Environmental Consulting LLC. Since 1993 she has provided expertise in wetland and riparian consulting and research and specializes in compliance with federal and state environmental regulations. Mary’s focus is working as a member of multi-disciplinary teams to identify opportunities to conserve and improve wetland and riparian habitat on stream restoration/flood control improvement projects. As part of that work, Mary provides Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 compliance for projects. She is known regionally for her creative and effective environmental compliance strategies that help reduce uncertainty and manage risks to project schedules and cost. Mary has established excellent working relationships with federal regulators and has a reputation for a collaborative and down-to-earth project approach.
Carol Ekarius
Coalition for the Upper South Platte
Carol Ekarius has served over 20 years as the Executive Director of the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (a Friend of the South Platte Award winner), and CEO of Coalitions and Collaboratives, an organization that supports other place-based collaborative groups. During her tenure at CUSP, Carol has overseen the implementation of hundreds of projects and programs ranging from forest health and fire recovery efforts to river restoration, abandoned mines projects, monitoring, trails, and environmental education.
Coalition for the Upper South Platte
Carol Ekarius has served over 20 years as the Executive Director of the Coalition for the Upper South Platte (a Friend of the South Platte Award winner), and CEO of Coalitions and Collaboratives, an organization that supports other place-based collaborative groups. During her tenure at CUSP, Carol has overseen the implementation of hundreds of projects and programs ranging from forest health and fire recovery efforts to river restoration, abandoned mines projects, monitoring, trails, and environmental education.
Pete Gallagher
Fin-Up Habitat Consultants
Pete Gallagher is the owner of Fin-Up Habitat Consultants, and a former fisheries biologist for the U.S. Forest Service. Pete’s focus over his 35 year career has been on monitoring and assessment work, and on implementing river restoration/habitat projects across Colorado and the western United States.
Fin-Up Habitat Consultants
Pete Gallagher is the owner of Fin-Up Habitat Consultants, and a former fisheries biologist for the U.S. Forest Service. Pete’s focus over his 35 year career has been on monitoring and assessment work, and on implementing river restoration/habitat projects across Colorado and the western United States.
Recreational Challenges & Opportunities in Colorado's Most Populated Watershed
Dan Prenzlow
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Dan Prenzlow received his BS in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University in 1985. Following in the footsteps of his father, Prenzlow joined the Division of Wildlife in 1986 as a District Wildlife Manager patrolling the Castle Rock area. He was then promoted to Area Wildlife Manager in 1992 based in Meeker, where he served until 2005 when he became Southeast Regional Manager based in Colorado Springs. He is married to Brenda Prenzlow and has two daughters, Danika and Alaura.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Dan Prenzlow received his BS in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University in 1985. Following in the footsteps of his father, Prenzlow joined the Division of Wildlife in 1986 as a District Wildlife Manager patrolling the Castle Rock area. He was then promoted to Area Wildlife Manager in 1992 based in Meeker, where he served until 2005 when he became Southeast Regional Manager based in Colorado Springs. He is married to Brenda Prenzlow and has two daughters, Danika and Alaura.
Laura Kroeger
Mile High Flood District
Program Manager
Mile High Flood District
Program Manager
Dennis Wied
Commercial Rafting Outfitters
Dennis Wied received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University in 1972 and MS from Purdue University in 1975. After 15 years of engineering he founded Raft Masters in 1989. He has been a guide for 37 years. Raft Masters operates on the Arkansas River and Clear Creek. He has two daughters, Kathryn and Penny.
POND Reception