Small mountain utilities are being asked to do more than operate pipes, pumps, and tanks. They are also expected to run conservation programs, manage rebates, engage residents, and build public trust.
Cynthia Koehler of WaterNow says the High Country Conservation Center shows how a regional nonprofit can provide that missing capacity for smaller water providers.
HC3 already has the relationships, local knowledge, and community trust needed to turn conservation goals into programs people can actually use.
WaterNow helped the organization develop an early regional water-conservation roadmap, giving Summit County communities a framework they could continue building on over time.
That work has supported a broader regional approach, allowing multiple towns and water providers to expand conservation without each having to create the same staff capacity on their own.
Koehler says that model is especially useful for smaller communities that want to collaborate regionally but do not have large conservation departments.
State support has also been central. Funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board has helped sustain the organizations and programs that make the regional approach possible.
The result is a practical model for smaller communities: use trusted local nonprofits to add capacity, coordinate across jurisdictions, and move conservation from planning into implementation.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.Visit https://www.waterloop.org/
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