Water & Fire Restrictions June 2026

Watering & Fire Restrictions Glenwood to De Beque

Volunteers sought for MCWC's Outreach & Community Engagement Committee

Outreach & Community Engagement Committee

Be an Ambassador for Watershed Health, Wildfire Resilience and Community Stewardship

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council is seeking enthusiastic, community-minded individuals to join a team of volunteers to serve on our Outreach & Community Engagement Committee. This team plays a critical role in helping MCWC connect with community members, businesses, sponsors, and partners throughout the watershed.

Outreach & Community Engagement Volunteers help support MCWC events from planning through execution and follow-up. Volunteers serve as ambassadors for the organization, helping build relationships and ensuring attendees, sponsors and partners have a positive experience with MCWC.

Time Commitment

  • Monthly committee meeting on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

  • Meetings are held at St. John's Guild Hall in New Castle

  • Typical meeting length: 1–1.5 hours

  • Additional volunteer time varies based on upcoming events and individual availability

Meetings include a potluck dinner. Bringing food is always optional. During the summer months, we enjoy "Community Salad"—MCWC provides the greens and dressing, while committee members contribute optional toppings and add-ins.

Key Areas of Focus: Choose Your Own Adventure

We are seeking volunteers for event pre-promotion, sponsor stewardship, day-of event support and post-event follow-up. We welcome participation in one, some or all of these opportunities!

1. Community Outreach & Promotion

  • Distribute event posters and flyers throughout the region

  • Share event information through personal and professional networks

  • Encourage attendance and participation among community members, businesses, and partners

  • Represent MCWC positively at community events and gatherings

  • Help raise awareness of MCWC's mission, programs, and impact

  • Help cultivate relationships with prospective volunteers, donors, sponsors and community partners 

2. Sponsor Stewardship

One of the committee's most important responsibilities is helping sponsors feel appreciated and connected to MCWC's work.

Volunteers may:

  • Assist with sponsor outreach and relationship-building

  • Ensure sponsors receive event information and tickets

  • Coordinate collection and display of sponsor banners and promotional materials

  • Welcome sponsors at events and help ensure they have a positive experience

  • Participate in post-event thank-you communications and recognition efforts

3. Event Support

Responsibilities may include:

  • Support with soliciting auction and door prize donations

  • Ticketing and guest check-in

  • Greeting attendees

  • Staffing information tables

  • Selling tickets for door prize drawings

  • Setting up and taking down sponsor banners and displays

  • Organizing auction and door prize items

  • Assisting speakers, presenters and venue staff

  • Helping with event setup and cleanup

  • Supporting MCWC staff and board members during events

  • Assistance with film fest planning, specifically screening and selecting films

4. Event Follow-Up

  • Participate in post-event evaluations and lessons learned discussions

  • Help identify opportunities for improvement

  • Assist with sponsor and attendee thank-you efforts

  • Help document successes and community impact

Signature Events

River Fest - August 1, 2026 - River cleanup and MCWC tabling event at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs

Rifle Creek Restoration Day on Powers Ranch - October 10, 2026 - Community day to share and showcase MCWC’s Centennial Park, Deerfield Park, Government Creek, Grand Tunnel Ditch Flume and Powers Ranch projects; elevated networking and learning from subject matter experts.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival - October 24, 2026 at the Ute Theater in Rifle, & October 29, 2026 at the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue in Glenwood Springs. MCWC's signature annual fundraiser and community celebration featuring inspiring films focused on conservation, water, recreation, and stewardship.

Fire & Water Speaker Series - February–April 2027 - A community education series exploring water security, wildfire resilience, and community preparedness.

February 2027
History of Water in the West
Presented by Tom Romero, PhD, Professor of Law, UNLV

Tentatively scheduled for February 4 or February 11 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. Additional spring programs will continue to explore topics related to watershed health, wildfire resilience and community stewardship.

Ideal Volunteers

  • Enjoy meeting people and building relationships

  • Care about western Colorado's lands, waters and communities

  • Are dependable and willing to follow through on commitments

  • Communicate professionally and positively

  • Enjoy working as part of a team

  • Want to make a meaningful contribution to the community

Why Volunteer?

The success of MCWC's outreach and education efforts depends on strong community connections. As an Outreach & Community Engagement Volunteer, you will help build relationships, strengthen community support and create meaningful connections between people and place while advancing watershed stewardship, wildfire resilience and science-based education throughout western Colorado.

Whether you're welcoming a first-time attendee, thanking a sponsor or helping at an event, you'll play an important role in growing the community of people who care about the future of the middle Colorado River watershed. Interested? Please get in touch!

State of the River 2026 - Roan Creek Fish Barrier

State of the River 2026 - Roan Creek Fish Barrier

In April 2026, the Middle Colorado Watershed Council completed a years-long project on Roan Creek. Supported by grant funding from Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado River District and the Trout and Salmon Foundation, the project represents a win for both conservation and agricultural water efficiency and delivery.

Located in a remote stretch of Roan Creek in western Garfield County, the permanent fish barrier protects one of Colorado’s most unique native fish assemblages, including a rare genetic strain of Colorado River cutthroat trout, as well as bluehead sucker, Paiute sculpin and speckled dace. 

The Roan Creek Fish Barrier project also replaced outdated irrigation infrastructure, eliminated a pushup dam and installed a modern concrete diversion with a headgate, fish screen and flow-measuring device, improving efficiency for water users while benefiting stream function and aquatic habitat.

Fire & Water Speaker Series in Glenwood in March; Rifle in April

Fire & Water Speaker Series in Glenwood in March; Rifle in April

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) offers its 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series, a slate of engaging community events exploring how water, wildfire and human systems shape life in the Colorado River Basin. Presented by Hotel Colorado, the series brings together authors, filmmakers, scientists and practitioners for story-driven learning, dialogue and action.

Fire & Water Speaker Series Concludes with Cutting-Edge Water Monitoring

Fire & Water Speaker Series Concludes with Cutting-Edge Water Monitoring

Water quality monitoring was once a luxury—until the Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch fires triggered bank instability and mudslides into the Colorado River. These events highlighted the urgent need for early warning systems to protect drinking water and other uses. The Middle Colorado Watershed Council helped to bring a Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) to meet that need. USGS and Colorado River District scientists shared the technology with guests of the Fire & Water Speaker Series.

Fire & Water Speaker Series: "Why Colorado Native Plants?" session content

Experts Mariah Foley - CSU Extension Specialist, R.A. Burrell - Principal of Planet Mechanics, and Dr. Scott Jensen - EcoPoint Senior Environmental Professional, shared insights and additional resources in this March, 2025 presentation on the beauty and benefits of native plants.

Watch the entire program, courtesy of Rifle Now Community Access Television, at this link.