Cottonwood Institute is Proud to Announce that We Have Been Awarded the Unique Distinction as a Colorado Water Education Exemplar for 2026!
What is it?
This distinction is given by the Colorado Watershed Assembly to recognize local programs that offer objectively exceptional education about Colorado’s water using the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education. These guidelines are not just about being standards-aligned but include requirements for lessons to be engaging, culturally relevant, and based on institutional soundness.
What’s the big deal?
In Colorado this year, everyone seems to be talking about one thing: water.
We hear about it daily in the news, among outdoor recreation communities, and even in casual conversations with strangers. With historically low snowpack levels across the state, it’s easy to see how deeply water impacts all of our lives.
Of course, there’s the obvious concern — we all need water to survive. But the effects of water scarcity extend far beyond our taps. Colorado’s ski and snowboarding industry has struggled to maintain adequate snow coverage, wildfire risk is top of mind for many mountain communities, and rafting seasons may be significantly shortened. For towns that depend heavily on tourism and are especially vulnerable to wildfire devastation, water shortages affect not only drinking water supplies, but also local economies and livelihoods.
That’s why it is so important for Colorado students to receive water education that goes beyond simply memorizing the water cycle. The Colorado Watershed Assembly created the Colorado Water Education Exemplar distinction to recognize programs that help students deeply understand the challenges, systems, and decisions surrounding water in our state.
This initiative was developed in response to the Colorado Water Plan, originally adopted in 2015 and updated in 2023. The plan focuses on four major priorities: Vibrant Communities, Robust Agriculture, Thriving Watersheds, and Resilient Planning. Because this long-term plan extends through 2050, it is critical that today’s students receive high-quality water education now — they will become the future stewards and decision-makers of Colorado’s water resources.
What is Cottonwood’s Water Education Program?
Over the past several years, Cottonwood Institute has offered immersive summer watershed trips for our community partners. These experiences are packed with hands-on learning opportunities centered around Colorado’s waterways, including fishing, whitewater rafting, environmental service projects, and water quality investigations.
Throughout the trip, students engage directly with water science and watershed education. They use macroinvertebrates to better understand ecosystem health, water quality, and fish habitats. They learn how rapids form, how canyons are shaped over time, and how Colorado allocates water among recreation, agriculture, personal consumption, and economic needs.
Most importantly, students come away understanding a key question: “What is a watershed, and why does it matter?”
One of the highlights of the program is the opportunity for students to meet with local mining companies to learn about environmental regulations and participate in real-world water quality testing efforts connected to those regulations.
We are incredibly grateful to be recognized for this work and for the meaningful experiences we are able to share with students each year. Read about one of our 2025 watershed trips here!
Cottonwood Institute would also like to thank the Walton Family Foundation for their generous support of our watershed trips.
If you too are passionate about getting students outside for award-winning water education, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
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