Water is the lifeblood of any community. It is also a limited resource with ever pressing demands from a growing region. The 2024 Northern Colorado Intersections Report highlights that water is at the intersection of many of our region’s pressures including housing, agriculture, energy, recreation, and more. Pressures impact the region’s water supply, water quality, and watershed. The NoCo Foundation leads several water-related initiatives to ensure water is at the heart of all community discussions and decisions.
The NoCo Foundation brings leaders together to collaborate, learn, and safeguard our region’s water, protecting Northern Colorado’s water future.
Current Initiatives
NoCo Water Alliance
To use the old adage, often attributed to Mark Twain, “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting”; given our growing communities, and pressure on our regional water supplies, some may think it is still true.
The NoCo Foundation is deep in the heart of water conversations. Since 2019, we have convened dozens of water districts and water utilities in the Larimer and Weld County region. The attendees gave themselves the official name, Northern Colorado Water Alliance, in 2023. As the group meets bimonthly, they are learning more and more about each other’s strengths, challenges, and sharing ideas on how to be more collaborative and strategic in preserving and protecting Northern Colorado water supplies. The NoCo Foundation, through its partnership with participating organizations, works with CDR Associates as the group facilitator. We are pleased to report that there haven’t been any fights in the meetings!
How does this convening translate in real life?
Check out this article on a water partnership that would not have happened without the NoCo Water Alliance connections.
Water Literate Leaders
Water is one of the most important and controversial topics of our century. Understanding the complexity and nuances of water issues is critical for good decision-making. However, those who have helped our communities make sound water decisions are nearing retirement, meaning we need new water literate leaders to step up to the plate! We also recognize that whether you work in “water” or not, as a leader in this community, knowing about water issues is important.
The Water Literate Leader program is a collaboration between the Colorado Water Center out of CSU and the NoCo Foundation. This program is designed to engage community leaders in the water conversation and solutions for Northern Colorado.
Program participants learn about the complex Northern Colorado water issues from all angles, interact with regional water leaders, participate in visioning activities, and build active connections with key stakeholders in the region and state.
This is a great program for those who hold or aspire to political office, board, and commission roles. Learn more about this program!
Poudre River Improvement Fund
In February 2025, Northern Water and the nonprofit group Save the Poudre reached a settlement to the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) lawsuit challenging the federal permit issued for NISP (Glade and Galeton reservoirs and associated infrastructure). Over the next 20 years, $100 million will be contributed by project participants into the Poudre River Improvement Fund at the NoCo Foundation. The money will support projects and initiatives that improve the river for recreational uses, wildlife, water quality, and more from just east of the entrance to Poudre Canyon to the confluence with the South Platte River east of Greeley. The NoCo Foundation’s role is to steward the funds and convene the committee that will recommend how the funds will support the Poudre River.
Acres for Impact
As Coloradans, we are proud of our agricultural roots. For generations, our commitment to the water, land, and livestock has not only fed the world, but it has also built strong communities. Acres for Impact provides an opportunity for our agricultural land, water, and business owners to consider how their agricultural assets can continue this legacy of community support today and for generations to come.
- Acres for Impact provides the unique opportunity to make a gift of water or farm/ranch land and enjoy the flexibility of giving in the way that best fits the donor’s needs.
- Any nonprofit organization or community can be named to benefit from the water or farm revenue, thus receiving a legacy of sustainable funding.
