The Colorado Senate officially confirmed Paul Bruchez to serve as the Colorado Water Conservation Board (Board) Colorado River Basin representative during a hearing today. Additionally, Directors Jessica Brody and Jackie Brown were confirmed for reappointments to the Board for their second terms.
The 15-member Board includes nine representatives from each major Colorado river basin as well as the Denver metro area who are appointed by the Governor and then must be confirmed by the Colorado State Senate. The Board also includes six state officials including Colorado Water Conservation Board Director Becky Mitchell. Board members have experience and expertise in water resource management, water project financing, engineering, water law, farming, and ranching.
Director Bruchez joins the Board with extensive experience in the Colorado water world. A rancher from Kremmling, he has led substantial efforts to enhance irrigation efficiency in northwestern Colorado agriculture. He also serves on the Colorado Basin Roundtable and the Interbasin Compact Committee.
“I am honored to serve on the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Over the last 20 years, I have seen firsthand the challenges we face with water supply and have worked with partners on both sides of the Continental Divide. This is a critical moment in time and I look forward to working with water stakeholders statewide and across the Colorado River Basin on solutions for agriculture, healthy rivers and Colorado’s communities,” said Director Bruchez.
In other news, during the March Board meeting, Jackie Brown was appointed as Board Chair and Greg Felt was appointed as Board Vice-Chair for a one-year term.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. With the breadth of expertise and determination of my fellow board members, we are poised as an agency to create meaningful water policy and planning efforts across the state,” said Director Brown. “With continued drought and a growing population, it is more important than ever to find creative solutions to our water challenges through partnerships on-the-ground.”
