UCWET invites YOU to join us in making our Colorado River headwaters more sustainable and resilient by participating in a NEW local Adopt-a-Waterway program.
ADOPT-a-WATERWAY programs enable individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations to engage in ongoing stewardship of their local waters.
The GRAND COUNTY ADOPT-a-WATERWAY program builds on the idea that EVERYONE can be a waterway steward. That’s why we created a tiered program – so you can get involved with protecting and restoring the Upper Colorado River watershed at a commitment level that works for your life.
Every drop makes a difference.
About Us
Stoneflies are the most sensitive of fresh water macroinvertebrates, requiring swift, clean, cold, and highly oxygenated water. This means they are great water quality indicators - lots of stoneflies means a healthy watershed!
Swoop in to #SupportTheSourceCO! The American White Pelican is a skillful species, capable of carrying up to THREE GALLONS of water in its bill! One of North America's largest birds, watching them swoop down over Grand Lake is breathtaking.
Participate in our quick, 2-3 minute survey on CitSci.organd achieve Stonefly status while enjoying the outdoors and observing nature. You'll need to create an account on CitSci, but the information you can provide is invaluable - and it's an exciting tool to learn about the watershed! Once you join our project, you can find the watershed
Participate in our quick, 2-3 minute survey on CitSci.organd achieve Stonefly status while enjoying the outdoors and observing nature. You'll need to create an account on CitSci, but the information you can provide is invaluable - and it's an exciting tool to learn about the watershed! Once you join our project, you can find the watershed health survey under "Add Data". Don't know anything about watershed health? Don't worry! We'll walk you through it with our questions. All you need is your smartphone, time outside exploring your favorite part of the Upper Colorado River basin and a few minutes to help us gather data.
Extra kudos if you pick up trash or dog waste!
Swoop in to #SupportTheSourceCO! The American White Pelican is a skillful species, capable of carrying up to THREE GALLONS of water in its bill! One of North America's largest birds, watching them swoop down over Grand Lake is breathtaking.
Swoop in to #SupportTheSourceCO! The American White Pelican is a skillful species, capable of carrying up to THREE GALLONS of water in its bill! One of North America's largest birds, watching them swoop down over Grand Lake is breathtaking.
Join at this level and show us your skills! We’ll notify you of one-day or half-day projects where we need a hand and you can join us if you can. No long-term commitment needed. Potential projects include trash clean-up days, streambank restoration efforts, planting trees or willows, etc.
UCWET will supply materials such as trash bags, p
Join at this level and show us your skills! We’ll notify you of one-day or half-day projects where we need a hand and you can join us if you can. No long-term commitment needed. Potential projects include trash clean-up days, streambank restoration efforts, planting trees or willows, etc.
UCWET will supply materials such as trash bags, plantings and tools - volunteers need to come prepared to spend the day outside in the unpredictable Colorado Rockies weather and supply their own work boots, gloves and water.
Cutthroat trout are also helpful indicator species of watershed health, sensitive to habitat fragmentation and poorly planned energy, logging, mining, and grazing projects.
Want to make a bigger difference in our watershed by committing to something a little more involved? Perhaps just one larger project or one year of more targeted surveying or monitoring? We can help provide resources for a project you have in mind, ideas for new projects, or identify waterways that would benefit from ongoing citizen science monitoring!
The beaver is a highly valued and hardworking watershed friend, providing an extensive list of ecosystem services for humans and other wildlife.
This is the highest Adopt-a-Waterway program tier, entailing a longer commitment of two years and at least one stewardship project per year. Stewardship projects can be a range of activities. UCWET can provide support by helping your group decide what actions are best to take for your specific area, provide project training and assist in
This is the highest Adopt-a-Waterway program tier, entailing a longer commitment of two years and at least one stewardship project per year. Stewardship projects can be a range of activities. UCWET can provide support by helping your group decide what actions are best to take for your specific area, provide project training and assist in securing materials, and navigating communication with local municipalities.
Don't know where to adopt? We can help! Tell us a little bit about your group, project commitment level and where in Grand County you would like to adopt, and we will help you from there!
ADopt-a-Waterway: Grand County Beavers
The BEAVER level is our highest level of Adopt-a-Waterway program involvement. As a keystone species and ecosystem engineers, beavers are critical to any healthy watershed. Likewise, our Adopt-a-Waterway program needs beavers to truly make a difference. We'll support you every step of the way with your waterway adoption.
At the Beaver level, we ask for a TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT and at least ONE STEWARDSHIP PROJECT each year.
Don’t know where to adopt? We can help!
Tell us a little bit about your group and where in Grand County you would like to adopt, and we will help you from there!
Community Events
Current Events:
Stay tuned for summer and fall 2023 events, right here. You don't want to miss em!
Past Events:
Waterwise Landscaping: January 26, 2023
This event was held at Fisher’s Bar and was an evening full of tips, tricks and best horticultural practices from ANNIE BARROW, manager of Horticulture Outreach Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens. An expert in waterwise garden design for the mountain west, Annie’s talk centered on plant selection, planting design and soil amendments to create vibrant and flourishing drought-tolerant, low-water landscapes in the Colorado Rockies and Front Range.
An engaging and vibrant public speaker, Annie had something new to learn for everyone - from the seasoned gardener to those getting their hands dirty for the first time.
Bug Blitz: October 1, 2022
Join us for a day of exploring local streams and identifying some of our favorite macroinvertebrates! Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks -- join us for the day or for the afternoon/morning session!
Troublesome Fest: September 10, 2022
Enjoy the live music, food, drinks, and fun at the 2nd annual Troublesome Fest! Be sure to stop by our booth for interactive science displays, maps, and giveaways!
Live Water: July 16-17, 2022
Live Water made waves in Grand Lake during a weekend-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, July 16th & 17th of 2022.
Saturday was kicked off with dragonboat races on Grand Lake, followed by the Post Race Festival Beer Bust with live music, food, and fantastic interactive booths and vendor tents. Sunday was the Live Water Arts & Science Exhibit and Scenic River Film Festival!
Donations received during this event contributed to the protection and restoration of our local watershed.
2016-2019 Events
2019:
- April 2nd – Welcomed establishment of new Kawuneeche Group
- May 18th and 25th – Smith Creek Restoration Project with MPHS Interact Club
- December 11th – Year-End Newsletter and establishing goals for 2020
2018:
Events and Community Conversations
- Janury 19th – Where are we now?
UCRWG (UCWET) is in the second year of a $100,000 WaterSMART grant from the US Bureau of Reclamation. So far in year two, the UCWET board has met twice and the technical team is exploring project concepts and a grant strategy with board guidance.
During our first year of funding, the Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge team guided five Community Conversations, consolidated findings, and formed the Watershed Group (Team) Board. The technical team studied watershed conditions and opportunities, drafted guiding supporting documents for organization of a nonprofit, and researched grant funding. - May 5th – Grand Lake Recreation District Bioblitz
- May 24th – Community Conversations – Granby Public Library
- July 25th – Published research conclusions on benefits and viability of establishing an Impact Fee for water users.
- August 2nd – Published our first Watershed Snapshot
- Sept. 1st – Guided hike with the Grand Lake Rec District, “The Burn Zone: Moving Forward”
2017:
Community Conversations
- Feb. 25 – Granby: Mountain Parks Electric Community Room
2016:
Community Conversations
- Oct. 17 – Granby: Mountain Parks Electric
- Oct. 25 – Grand Lake: Community House (by Town Hall)
- Nov. 11 – Fraser: The Historic Church
- Nov. 14 – Kremmling: West Grand High School
Volunteer
The form is a simple email to our team containing your name & email -- we'll notify you as opportunities to get involved arise!
Grand Environmental Services is the proud founder of the Kawuneeche Group, an informal group of professionals working to improve watershed conditions of the North Fork of the Colorado River (NFCR), including the Kawuneeche Valley. Click the button to view project photo galleries and more!