Nels Bjarke  - LinkedIn

Western Water Assessment

Dr. Nels Bjarke is a hydrologist who researches natural hazards, including drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat, across the western U.S. to understand how those hazards impact communities. Dr. Bjarke works with municipal utilities, state agencies, and water planners to determine how science can inform climate resilience building.

Innovative Landscape Transformation Experiments

Jessica Alexander

Denver Water

Jessica Alexander is a Senior Scientist in the Water Resource Strategy division at Denver Water. An ecologist at heart and by training, Jessica is passionate about wetlands and river ecosystems. Jessica has worked for Denver Water for the past 11 years. Prior to joining Denver Water, Jessica worked as an environmental consultant in California. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Bucknell University and a Master of Science in Biology from California State University Sacramento. Jessica is proud to call Colorado home, and in her spare time enjoys reading, gardening, and skiing.

Joshua Eldridge  - LinkedIn

Matrix Design Group

Joshua Eldridge brings 20 years of ecological expertise to landscape transformation initiatives that convert traditional turf into sustainable, high-performing landscapes. Joshua integrates restoration ecology, stormwater management, and resilient plant community design to create attractive, low-maintenance environments that reduce inputs, support biodiversity, and thrive in changing urban conditions.

Bea Stratton

Denver Water

Bea Stratton is the Landscape Transformation Program Manager at Denver Water. Bea focuses on building tailored programming to help customers conserve water through landscapes and is leading an effort to test different turf replacement methodologies across Denver Water’s properties with the goal of sharing these case studies to the broader community.

Maya Fives - LinkedIn

Matrix Design Group

Maya Fives is an ecologist at Matrix Design Group who specializes in urban ecology and restoration. Maya’s work focuses on ecological assessments, planning, design, construction oversight, post-construction monitoring, and adaptive management. Maya is a SER-certified CERPIT and FAA-certified Part 107 drone pilot.

Joe Schneider

Western States Reclamation

Joe Schneider has nearly 25 years of experience in the landscape and reclamation industry, with a significant portion of his career focused on native grass establishment and landscape conversions. As President of Western States Reclamation, Joe brings a practical background in landscape construction, restoration, irrigation, and project delivery. His education in Landscape Horticulture and Landscape Architecture complements his field experience and passion for creating resilient, water-wise landscapes that perform for the long term.

Green Infrastructure: Conserve Water, Improve Quality

AJ Carrillo  - LinkedIn

United Ecology

AJ Carrillo has been practicing sustainable landscape design for over 13 years. AJ has a master’s in urban resilience from CU’s MENV program, where he focused on green infrastructure and nature-based climate solutions. AJ has broad experience ranging from large-scale rainwater harvesting systems to bespoke permaculture installations across the United States.

Avery Ellis  - LinkedIn

United Ecology

Avery Ellis is a sustainability specialist and ecological designer focusing on designing regenerative systems that serve humanity through natural processes. Avery has a master’s degree in Ecological Design & Green Building and a bachelor's degree in Biology & Sustainability. Avery is a certified Permaculture Designer and Teacher, transforming hundreds of landscapes and inspiring thousands of students through the years. His experience ranges from; backyard landscaping to green infrastructure, organic farming to pond construction, controlled environment agriculture to site reclamation. Avery has been an activist, supporting statewide adoption of common sense water laws and taken action to be a pioneer installing those solutions across the region.

From Spreadsheets to Strategy: Building Water Dashboards That Drive Action

Sarah Kaye

Brendle Group

Sarah Kaye has more than nine years of experience supporting local, regional, and state governments in advancing integrated water and land use planning. Her metrics work focuses on stakeholder-driven facilitating collaboration across departments and organizations to, develop metrics, dashboards, and scenario planning tools that inform decision-making.

Noah Kaiser  - LinkedIn

Sonoran Institute

Noah Kaiser is a Program Manager in the Growing Water Smart Program at the Sonoran Institute. Noah has experience in consulting, academia, and with non-profits, through which he has developed expertise in water resources management, strategy, and policy. Noah is interested in transboundary cooperation and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Justin Hollis - LinkedIn

Little Thompson Water District

Justin Hollis is a Water Resources Technician with Little Thompson Water District who oversees the Water Conservation Program.

Strengthening Colorado’s Capacity for Landscape Resilience

Lisa Pace  - LinkedIn

Colorado Springs Utilities

Lisa Pace leads water conservation initiatives at Colorado Springs Utilities, combining expertise in landscape design, irrigation, and business. Lisa helped create Water Wise Rules and turf replacement programs, manages the award-winning Water Wise Demonstration Garden, and is spearheading a statewide effort to standardize inclusive waterwise landscape education across Colorado.

Abbye Neel - LinkedIn

Brendle Group

Abbye Neel is a water expert helping to shape the vital intersection between water resources and efficiency with land use planning. Abbye has extensive experience developing data-driven water efficiency programs and policies that require collaboration with a variety of stakeholders to implement new programming and updates to municipal and land use codes. At Brendle Group, Abbye supports a wide range of projects through the implementation of sustainable water management solutions and climate resiliency approaches.

Kerry Miller  - LinkedIn

WaterNow

Kerry Miller is a Program Manager at WaterNow, where she partners with communities to advance sustainable, equitable, and locally driven water solutions. Kerry’s work centers on supporting resilient water management through place-based assistance, funding navigation, and leadership development. Kerry holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver.

Thirsty Tech: Navigating Data Center Growth and Water Equity in Colorado

Chelsea Benjamin

Western Resource Advocates

Chelsea Benjamin is a Policy Advisor at Western Resource Advocates. In her role, Chelsea focuses on research and technical assistance efforts that support municipal water conservation and land use and water planning integration. Prior to joining Western Resource Advocates, she received a master’s degree in Environmental Policy at CU Boulder.

Shonnie Cline - LinkedIn

Aurora Water

Shonnie Cline is Deputy Director of Internal and External Affairs at Aurora Water, leading strategic communications, public engagement, and government affairs. With more than 23 years in the water sector, Shonnie specializes in communicating complex issues involving water resources, infrastructure, growth, and emerging demands, including data centers and long-term water planning.

Ean Thomas Tafoya - LinkedIn

Green Latinos

Ean Thomas Tafoya is Vice President of State Programs at GreenLatinos, where he advances environmental justice, water, and clean energy policy across multiple states. A graduate of the One World One Water Center and a National River Hero, Ean has led watershed protection, water equity, and climate advocacy efforts that empower frontline communities.

David McCabe

Sundt Construction

David McCade has spent the last 35+ years working in the water and wastewater side of technology facilities and large water reclamation projects.

Beyond Turf: Partnership, Persistence, and the Future of Water-Wise Landscapes

Jason Naughtin - LinkedIn

Norris Design

Jason Naughtin has been a Senior Associate at Norris Design since 2019 and helps lead the Irrigation Design team there. Jason has worked in the green industry since 1996 as a landscape laborer, as an irrigation technician, landscape contractor, and now irrigation designer for the past 18 years.  Jason and his team utilize design practices that conserve water and create drawings that are easy to build and maintain.  He is a Certified Irrigation Designer, Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor, Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper, and Certified Landscape Technician.

Chris Bowers - LinkedIn

University of Northern Colorado

Chris Bowers is the Energy and Sustainability Manager at the University of Northern Colorado, where he leads campus energy, water conservation, and sustainability initiatives. Chris’ work focuses on translating ambitious sustainability goals into practical projects through collaboration with students, campus partners, utilities, municipalities, and community organizations.

Victoria Arling  - LinkedIn

WaterNow

Victoria Arling, Colorado Basin Program Director at WaterNow, is a water resources and land use professional with 10 years of experience. She leads the organization's water efficiency and conservation programs throughout Colorado. Victoria sits on the Board of Colorado WaterWise as co-chair, and is actively engaged with the broader Colorado water conservation community. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Masters in Environmental Management.

Laura Belanger - LinkedIn

Western Resource Advocates

Laura Belanger is a Senior Policy Advisor with Western Resource Advocates where she works to increase municipal water efficiency and reuse, while protecting and restoring stream flows to benefit river health. She currently has a strong focus on helping Colorado make the change to more water-wise landscaping and irrigation.

Research Round Up

Scott Curry 

Colorado State University

Scott Curry is a Professor of Landscape Design and Contracting at Colorado State University. Scott is a Licensed Landscape Architect and Certified Irrigation Designer. Before joining CSU in 2021, Scott worked at a large LA firm focusing on community development. Scott has worked at all scales up and down the Front Range of Colorado.

Peter Mayer  - LinkedIn

WaterDM

Peter Mayer, Principal and Founder of WaterDM, is a professional engineer and urban water expert who has dedicated his career to advancing the science of water management. Peter’s work focuses on urban water management, water demand research, water efficiency planning, demand forecasting and utility metering.   Peter has been the lead author and principal investigator for The Water Research Foundation's Residential End Uses of Water Studies from 1999 - 2026. He has conducted research and analysis for water utilities and the water sector for more than 30 years. Peter serves on the AWWA Water Meters Standards Committee (Committee 380). In 2016 Peter testified as Georgia's urban water expert at the US Supreme Court trial vs. FL.

Devin Smith  - LinkedIn

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Devin Foster Smith is a Senior Researcher for the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) with +10 years of qualitative and quantitative research practice. Devin uses her skill set to work with colleagues and AWE members to advance water conservation, efficiency, and equity across North America.

Nicholas Guthro

University of Colorado Boulder

Nicholas Guthro is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder. Nicholas’ research focuses on the intersection of water conservation and urban ecology. Nnicholas has been involved in projects related to water usage policies and how landscape transformation projects effect the urban heat island effect.

Watershed Health, Wildfire Prevention, and Forest Management: Conserving Water on the Supply Side

Audrey Miles-Cherney  - LinkedIn

Colorado State Forest Service

Audrey Miles-Cherney, USPP Watershed Coordinator with CO State Forest Service, has a multi-disciplinary background in forestry, watershed and public health spanning federal, state, private, and non-profit sectors. Audrey has a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from CSU, Fort Collins, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from CSU-Global, Denver.

Matt Ashley  - LinkedIn

Aurora Water

Matt Ashley manages the Watershed Health Program for Aurora Water in Aurora, Colorado. Aurora Water collaborates with the US Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, other water utilities, local fire districts, and nonprofits to protect water quality and infrastructure across Aurora’s watershed.

Brian Banks - LinkedIn

USDA Forest Service, Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Brian Banks, District Ranger, South Platte Ranger District, US Forest Service has been a vital federal representative for the Upper South Platte Partnership (USPP) since before its inception in 2015. He is active in multiple collaborative efforts across this nationally prioritized landscape, which supports 80%-90% of Denver/Aurora’s drinking water supply.

John White  - LinkedIn

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

John White is a forester with 10 years of experience in Colorado. John now serves as the Wildland Fire Planning and Recovery Coordinator at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, where he leads coordination with partners to plan and implement wildfire risk mitigation projects across the county.

Matt McLemore

Jefferson Conservation District

Matt McLemore is the Forest Program Manager at Jefferson Conservation District (JCD). Prior to joining JCD in 2019, Matt was a Natural Resource Specialist in Forestry for Jefferson County Open Space. He has a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree with a concentration in ecological restoration from Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Rob Addington  - LinkedIn

The Nature Conservancy

Rob Addington, Forest and Fire Program Director with The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, has more than 20 years of professional experience working in frequent-fire ecological systems and forest restoration. Rob holds B.A. degrees in Biology and English, University of Colorado, and an M.S. degree in Plant Biology, University of Georgia.