Agricultural - Municipal Committee (Consumptive)
Committee Chair - Matt Heimerich
The Agriculture - Municipal committee of the Arkansas Basin Roundtable works to build a collaborative relationship between urban and rural interests in the Arkansas River Basin. Its goal is to provide a forum where both groups can address shared concerns, collaborate on common priorities, and prevent or resolve disagreements. Formed in late 2021, the committee supports wise, sustainable water use and management throughout Southeastern Colorado.
The committee meets every other month on the first Tuesday of the month.
Executive Director: Jonathan Pakalian
Founded in 2015, the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative grew out of the Roundtable’s Basin Implementation Plan efforts. Early work was shaped by recent wildfires, which highlighted the need for watershed protection and stronger community partnerships.
Feedback from across the basin showed that watershed health concerns included a wide range of locally identified challenges, helping shape the Collaborative into what it is today. ARWC is an independent nonprofit that supports and partners with the Arkansas Basin Roundtable. Its mission is to help Arkansas Basin communities address locally identified watershed issues for economic, ecological, and social benefit.
Environmental - Recreation Committee (Non-Consumptive)
Committee Chair - Bob Hamel
This committee’s primary role is to review proposed environmental and recreational projects that plan to apply to the Roundtable for Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) grants. It also receives updates from agencies and organizations on upcoming projects, goals, and related efforts.
The committee meets every other month on the last Monday of the month.
Needs Assessment Committee
What is the Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Program?
The WSRF Program provides grants to help Arkansas Basin water users address critical water supply needs and priorities. Funding supports eligible water-related activities, including competitive grants for:
Technical assistance with permitting, feasibility studies, and environmental compliance;
Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive, and nonconsumptive water needs, projects, or activities;
Structural and nonstructural water projects or activities.
Infrastructure replacement or maintenance projects.
Before completing a WSRF application, review the WSRF guidelines and explore all available funding options for your project. All new WSRF grant applications must be submitted to the Needs Assessment Committee for review and approval. If approved, the application will then be considered by the Roundtable for approval and a Letter of Support.
Download the WSRF: Check List- Arkansas River Basin
Explore grant and loan opportunities and resources from the Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Funding Explorer
Arkansas Basin Roundtable Letters of Support
Requests for Arkansas Basin Roundtable Letters of Support must be submitted to the Needs Assessment Chair according to the WSRF Needs Assessment Schedule for Statewide WSRF Funds.
Colorado Water Plan grant applicants requesting a Letter of Support must give a brief presentation to the Needs Assessment Committee according to the WSRF schedule. After the meeting, the Needs Assessment Chair will notify applicants whether they need to present to the full Roundtable or whether a Letter of Support will be provided.
NAC Chair: Gracy Goodwin
The Needs Assessment Committee ensures that grant applications submitted through the Arkansas Basin Roundtable are complete and that the Roundtable supports the proposed project.
Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO)
PEPO Liaison: Chris Woodka
Interested in learning more about the PEPO Workgroup, looking for assistance with an education project, or wanting to be involved? Send us an email
Created through the Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act, there are nine roundtables in the state of Colorado, and each roundtable has a PEPO Workgroup. The Workgroup in the Arkansas Basin is unique in structure and vision. The Workgroup works in partnership and provides a line of communication between the Interbasin Compact Committee, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Arkansas Basin Roundtable, Arkansas River Basin Water Forum, and the Public that they serve.
The PEPO Workgroup’s purpose is to provide Arkansas River Basin specific education and outreach to our citizens. We hope to engage the public on water resource topics and issues and provide a platform for water related dialogue. We strive to provide education and outreach on behalf of all water use categories including municipal supply, irrigated agriculture, recreation, and the environment.
Programs and Projects
Over time, the Arkansas Basin PEPO Workgroup has been awarded grants from the Colorado Water Conservation Board to provide education and outreach to the citizens in the Arkansas River Basin.
Educational Video Series
Documentary Film: "The Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar"
Produced in partnership with Ebersole Media, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, and PEPO, this hour-long documentary explores the economic and social value of the Arkansas River from Leadville to Lamar. It highlights the river’s many uses, benefits, needs, and challenges.
The webisodes below are supplemental videos that dive deeper into topics touched on in the documentary, The Arkansas River: From Leadville to Lamar.
Webisodes