doug winter- president
Doug is a river sports enthusiast and casual naturalist who joined the MCWC Board of Directors in 2018. He got started with MCWC doing citizen science water quality monitoring, which is a more fun version of his day job as an environmental engineer focused on contaminated site remediation. Since then he has helped set up MCWC's River Stop interpretive center in Rifle and worked on the Grizzly Creek fire response, while assisting the Board with operations and fundraising.
morgan hill - vice president
Morgan's family has lived in the Colorado River Valley for over 20 years. Growing up in Glenwood Springs, she has always loved recreating on water, whether that be floating the river or skiing in the winter. Her work for local government as an Environmental Health professional has also shaped her interest in water quality. Protecting our very special rivers and streams has long been a passion for Morgan, and her inspiration for serving on MCWC's Board of Directors since the organization incorporated in 2013.
shelbi bauer - treasurer
As a native of Glenwood Springs the Colorado River has always held a special place in my heart. When I am not crunching numbers at my day job as a Commercial Lender/ Vice President at Alpine Bank my family and I enjoy all things outdoors. I am excited to be able to make an impact through the MCWC and contribute back to a river that gives all of us so much.
Mike Schuster- board member
Mike Schuster is the chief operator of the City of Glenwood Springs wastewater treatment department. He’s also an avid river recreationist and loves to fish.
Caitlin Carey- board member
Caitlin grew up in Alabama and found her home in Garfield County in 2002 and moved here permanently in 2013. She serves on New Castle Town Council and has a passion for serving her community, making sure all voices are heard and we are moving forward with intentionality and compassion. Caitlin loves all things outdoors, especially water. Whether it is swimming, floating the river, skiing in the winter, or running on trails, the natural world around her grounds her. In her spare time, she can be found chasing her husband and son down mountains in the winter, hiking, running, or reading a book.
chris treese - board member
Chris Treese is a delightfully retired water geek. He retired in 2019 after 28 years working for the Colorado River District as the district’s External Affairs Manager. This vague job title allowed him to do everything that engineers and lawyers shouldn’t do. Chris remains involved in the greater water community through service on local, regional, and statewide boards and looks forward to contributing to the Middle Colorado watershed.
cole buerger - board member
mikaela Richardson-board member
Mikaela is originally from Glenwood Springs and has always had a deep connection to the land and the water that sustains it. She has dedicated her education and career to restoring and protecting water sources across the western United States. As an early career hydrologist with a local water resource engineering firm, she is passionate about managing and conserving water resources for future generations on the Western Slope. In her free time, Mikaela enjoys skiing, horseback riding and fishing.
Front to back, left to right: Morgan Hill, Mikaela Richardson, Mike Schuster, Doug Winter, Chris Treese, Caitlin Carey (with Roxy), Kate Collins, Cole Buerger, Shelbi Bauer and Liberty Costello
MCWC 2025 Staff & Board of Directors
The board provides overarching direction and sets policy, goals and objectives for the Middle Colorado Watershed Council.
Our Committees:
The TAC
The Technical Advisory Committee or "TAC" is comprised of local water experts, community members, and project managers. The TAC oversees the MCWC's current projects, advises on future projects and provides insight for best management practices. Please contact us if you would like to get more information.
O&E Committee
The Outreach and Education Committee includes MCWC staff, community supporters, and board members interested in planning events, outreach efforts, and setting up educational opportunities through the MCWC. The committee organizes our annual Film Festival, River Clean-Up and Glenwood Canyon Bike Tour. Please contact us if you would like more information about the committee.
The RRAG
The Riparian Restoration Advisory Group is made up of staff, board of directors, and riparian restoration experts including land managers, federal government employees, water engineers, and leaders in stream management. Contact us if you would like to share you knowledge of riparian restoration and join this committee.
The Middle Colorado Watershed Council includes both a broad stakeholders group and, as of December 2013, a Board of Directors (BOD). Following considerable research and discussion, the original governing body, the Leadership Committee, recommended that the Council formalize itself as a not-for-profit entity under Colorado law. Advantages to incorporation are that it provides for an on-going, clear method of internal decision-making and self-governance, allows the Council to accept grant monies and donations directly, and necessitates independent financial planning and management. Copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are available upon request.