May 22, 2025, Steamboat Springs, CO — At its May Board meeting in Steamboat Springs this week, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) elected Lorelei Cloud as Chair and Barbara Vasquez as Vice Chair.
“It's a privilege to serve as the CWCB Director under the leadership of these two exceptional women,” said CWCB Director Lauren Ris. “I'm honored to support them as they step into these roles—and proud that this moment marks history. Chair Cloud is the first Indigenous person to lead Colorado’s state water board, and it's powerful to see three women at the center of these important conversations.”
Lorelei Cloud of the Southern Ute Reservation has served as CWCB Vice Chair for the past year and now succeeds Nathan Coombs as Chair. She represents the San Miguel–Dolores–San Juan drainage basin. Cloud also brings a wealth of experience in energy, water and leadership roles across the state and region. She is actively involved with the Water and Tribes Initiative, the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network and has served on the Southern Ute Tribal Council as the Treasurer and Vice Chairman.
“Having an Indigenous person in a position to make decisions about water, having a seat at the table, is something we've been working toward for a long time,” said Chair Cloud. “This is a joyous moment. Colorado has always been a trailblazer, and this isn't just about me—it's about all of us. We're here together, making decisions as a team, and I’m honored to be a part of this group.”
Barbara Vasquez of Cowdrey, Colorado, will serve as Vice Chair. She represents the North Platte drainage basin and brings extensive experience in public land resource management and water issues. Vasquez has served on the Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council and has been a representative on the North Platte Basin Roundtable since 2006.
“I look forward to supporting Chair Cloud and continuing to strengthen our partnerships across the state over the next year,” said Vice Chair Vasquez. “I’m committed to ensuring that the voices of rural communities and local water users are heard as we navigate the complex challenges ahead.”
“I couldn’t be more honored and excited to have Lorelei Cloud serving as the Chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Barbara Vasquez as Vice Chair” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources. “I’ve been lucky to witness Chair Cloud’s rise as a leader in the Colorado water community. No one is more deserving or better positioned to Chair the CWCB in this critical moment. Combined with Vice Chair Vasquez we are very fortunate to have CWCB members who are excellent representatives engaged in Colorado water policy.”
Cloud, Vasquez, and outgoing Chair Nathan Coombs were all appointed to the CWCB in March 2023 and have now each held leadership roles on the Board. Board Chair appointments are for one-year terms. The 15-member Board includes nine representatives from each major Colorado river basin as well as the Denver metropolitan area. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Colorado State Senate. Collectively, they bring expertise in water resource management, engineering, law, finance, agriculture and more.
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