Colorado WaterWise - Board and Consultants

We Are Colorado WaterWise

Addressing the state's water challenges by improving water efficiency through diverse community connections, innovative solutions and valuable member resources

Board of Directors & Consultants

	Ruth Quade, Co-chair Water Conservation Administrator City of Greeley Ruth Quade is a Colorado native and received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Biology with an emphasis in Environmental Studies. She developed the water conservation program in 1997 for the City of Greeley. In this role, Ruth survived the drought of 2002 and 2012. Working with landscape professionals, she revised the watering restrictions that had been in place since 1907 from a demand management tool to more closely match the landscape's needs. Ruth's passion has always been the landscape aspect of conservation. Before coming to the city, she managed a local greenhouse and garden center and has been a volunteer with the Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener program since 1994 and chair of RMSAWWA Conservation Committee from 2005-2011.
	Victoria Arling, Co-chair Colorado Basin Program Director WaterNow Alliance Victoria joined WaterNow Alliance in 2021. Her work focuses on executing water conservation and efficiency projects and policy initiatives across Colorado and the other basin states, and she is a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. She earned a Masters in Environmental Management from CU Boulder and prior to WaterNow Alliance she worked as an environmental consultant and water quality analyst. In her free time Victoria loves to mountain bike, ski, and go whitewater rafting throughout Colorado and the West.
	Elisabeth D. Bowman, Co-secretary Conservation Engagement Manager Resource Central Elisabeth joined Resource Central in 2020 as the Conservation Engagement Manager for the Water Conservation Programs. In this new role, she is responsible for cultivating and managing the relationships with more than 40 water provider partners across the state. She manages the contracting process for water providers opting to use one or all four of Resource Central’s turnkey water conservation programs, as well as communicating performance throughout the seasons of each program. Her previous experience includes marketing and communications in a variety of industries and stints in local government and higher education. Elisabeth serves on the Board of Colorado WaterWise and its Educational Events Committee. She grew up in Colorado and values her time in the outdoors with her husband and dog.
	Katie Duke, Co-secretary Water Efficiency Coordinator City of Golden Katie Duke is from the Western Slope and has worked with the City of Golden since 2015 in the Environmental Services Division. She completes required testing and analysis for the Safe Drinking Water Act as well as leading water efficiency efforts and assisting in drought planning. She is a member of Alliance for Water Efficiency as well as other organizations. Prior to working in Golden, Katie built hiking trails with Americorps and the Student Conservation Association and earned her degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado Mountain College. Building hiking trails and living in the outdoors is where Katie found her passion for conservation and in her spare time, she enjoys sharing this love for the outdoors with her daughter.
	Dylan King, Co-treasurer Sustainability and Water Conservation Specialist Town of Erie Dylan King moved to Colorado in 2015 and has been working in the environmental field since then. He is currently the Water Conservation Technician for the Town of Erie where he is responsible for carrying out the goals set forth in their Water Efficiency Master Plan. Dylan received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont in Environmental Science with a concentration in Ecological Design. He is also a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. In his spare time, he loves skiing, fishing and playing with his dogs.
	Lyndsey Lucia, Co-treasurer Senior Water Efficiency Specialist Northern Water Lyndsey Lucia is a Colorado native and received a Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in Environmental Horticulture with a concentration in Landscape Design. In 2009 Lyndsey joined the Irrigation Management Department at Northern Water. Water Efficiency Specialist is the role she plays in the department. Lyndsey is a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor through the Irrigation Association. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking, yoga, photography, and spending time with family.
	Courtney Black Senior Water Resources Engineer INTERA Courtney Black is a Senior Water Resources Engineer at INTERA. She has diverse experience in water resources entailing municipal water supply planning, water conservation and drought planning, stakeholder coordination, water rights litigation, environmental assessments, and wetland design. She earned her Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and her Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Lehigh University. She is passionate about the water resources field and enjoys the outdoors, yoga, being a mom, and adventures in far corners of the world.
	Diane Palacios Block Senior Conservation Specialist Colorado Springs Utilities Diane Block has worked in water supply and resources at Colorado Springs Utilities since 2005. As a Senior Conservation Specialist, Diane is responsible for leading the indoor conservation programming and has developed several new programs including an indoor rehab program for affordable housing, a submeter pilot project for strip malls, and a small business efficiency assistance program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver in Communications. Outside of work you’ll find Diane enjoying live music, traveling, camping with her two rescue pups, and spending time with her husband and three grown sons.
	Susan Carter Water Conservation Specialist City of Grand Junction Susan joined the City of Grand Junction Utilities in September 2023 as the cities’ first Water Conservationist. Prior to that she “retired” as a CSU Extension Professor specializing in Commercial Horticulture, Natural Resources, and some Agriculture. Susan has a BS in Ornamental Horticulture, Master’s in Landscape Architecture, and has certifications as an Arborist, QWEL (Irrigation and Graywater) and CSU Extension NPM (Native Plant Master). She worked in the landscape and nursery industry for many years. And her husband has been in water treatment since 1995. They moved to Frisco CO in 1993, and to Fruita CO in 2001. Susan and family love the outdoors, plants, and animals.
	Meryl Corbin Director, Growing Water Smart Sonoran Institute Meryl Corbin is the Director of the Growing Water Smart program at the Sonoran Institute, where she leads efforts to help communities integrate water and land use planning to support regional and community resilience. Since joining Sonoran Institute in 2022, Meryl has designed and facilitated workshops that bring together diverse stakeholders to address critical water challenges across the Colorado River Basin. Meryl holds a master’s certification in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Colorado Denver, with a focus on Western water issues. Prior to her current role, she contributed to the WaterNow Alliance and the Project Accelerator.
	Kelly Gordon Water Conservation Technician City of Fort Collins Kelly Gordon has been part of Fort Collins Water Conservation team since 2017. Kelly started as a seasonal intern for the team’s Sprinkler Checkup Program and has progressed to managing Fort Collins CII Water Conservation programs, annual AWWA Water Loss Audit, and AMI leak notifications to customers. She is taking a lead in implementing water conservation strategies to the community through an equity, diversity, and inclusion framework.
	Katie Helm Conservation & Sustainability Manager City of Fountain Katie Helm is the Conservation and Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Fountain where she manages energy and water programs. In previous roles she has worked as a Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Aurora, a Park Ranger for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and as a sawyer through Americorps. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In 2017 she earned her Master of Science from Denver University for Environmental Management and Policy.
	Peter Mayer Principal Water Demand Management 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. In 2016 Peter testified as Georgia's urban water expert at the US Supreme Court trial vs. FL. Peter is Principal Investigator for the Water Research Foundation's, Residential End Uses of Water, Version 3 study. Over his career, Peter has worked with hundreds of water utilities and organizations across the US and Canada.
	Austin Krcmarik Water Efficiency Lead Denver Water Austin is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in land use, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Austin has been involved with his family dryland wheat farm farm in Keenesburg, Colorado, his entire life. He is passionate about implementing sustainable practices and collaborating with local partners to optimize water usage in both farming and municipal settings. At Denver Water, Austin leads the water efficiency team, developing programs and policies to enhance water conservation. He is committed to building partnerships and programs that collaborate with state and municipal agencies to promote efficient water use. Austin is committed to creating a future where urban and rural communities thrive together, ensuring sustainable use of our natural resources for generations to come.
	Jason Naughtin Senior Associate Norris Design
	Abbye Neel Senior Water Resource Engineer Brendle Group Abbye joined Brendle Group in 2022 where she leads the team in water conservation and water supply planning related projects. Abbye has been in the water conservation field for over 8 years and aims to create innovative and equitable solutions at the intersection of land use and water planning. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado and holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Whitman College, as well as a master’s degree from Colorado School of Mines. Outside of the water world, Abbye enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and exploring the mountain west.
	Alyssa Quinn Assistant Manager Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation District Alyssa Quinn is a Colorado native and has been at Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation District for 20 years. Her duties range from selling water and sewer tap permits to running the District's Asset Management program. For the past 7 years she has been in charge of the conservation program where some of her projects include working with the Jefferson County School District and the Learning to Be Water Wise program and running numerous Xeriscape classes. She also works closely with Denver Water and is currently the Chairperson of the Distributor Conservation Committee. Alyssa also is a member of the RMSAWWA Conservation Committee and the Colorado Water Utility Council. In her spare time she loves being with her husband and two boys.
	Lindsay Rogers Policy Manager for Municipal Conservation Western Resource Advocates Lindsay joined Western Resource Advocates in 2021 where she advances water conservation at the municipal level to bolster communities’ water security and reduce pressure on Western rivers and streams. By facilitating local and state-level policy development and providing direct project support, Lindsay helps communities and utilities pursue innovative and tailored water-saving strategies such as graywater ordinances, waterwise landscaping programs, and better integrated water and land-use planning. Previously, she spent five years as the Colorado Basin Program Manager at WaterNow Alliance, focused on advancing sustainable water policies and programs in the West by working directly with municipal water decision makers.
	Laura Wing Water Conservation Administrator City of Thornton Laura Wing earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Vermont and moved to Colorado in 1989. She has 21 years experience working for water utilities in water quality, water rights and water conservation. As a Water Conservation Administrator for the City of Thornton, Laura manages water conservation programs including water efficiency incentives/services, social marketing campaigns, and water-wise demonstration gardens.
	Tim York Manager of Water Conservation Aurora Water Tim York joined Aurora Water in 2012. He earned a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a Colorado licensed Landscape Architect. Prior to joining Aurora Water, Tim worked in the private in design and construction management roles across multiple states. In his current role Tim supports a large team of passionate water conservation specialists in program development and implementation. Outside of work you’ll find Tim hunting, fishing, backpacking or anything else that gets him in nature.

	Melissa Brasfield Consultant Colorado WaterWise admin@coloradowaterwise.org Melissa Brasfield joined Colorado WaterWise in February 2017. She has an extensive background in water resource management and conservation. She has worked for Denver Water and Tampa Bay Water as well as government agencies and in the private sector. Melissa has worked on projects related to groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, and conservation, as well as outreach and education efforts.