Want to get involved with RMSAWWA but not sure where to start? Join a committee! With nearly 20 committees supporting training programs, workshops, networking opportunities, and other member-focused events, there’s a place for everyone to contribute.
To learn more, express interest in joining, or receive committee updates, contact the Committee Chair(s) or complete a volunteer interest form.
Expand committee name for additional information:
Committee Purpose Since September 11, 1971, Action Now’s mission has been to take Water Treatment and Water Distribution education and training to rural areas of Colorado. Contrary to the Colorado urban corridor, rural water system operators rarely receive formal training near their systems. Action Now travels to 10 rural areas within Colorado bringing the latest information, technologies and operating and maintenance training in an effort to insure clean, safe potable water.
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Committee Purpose To acknowledge outstanding work by utilities and individuals in providing safe drinking water.
Committee Responsibilities Solicit and review nominations for the annual Section awards. The winners are recognized at the annual conference each September.
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Committee Purpose The purpose of the Colorado Water Utility Council (Council) shall be to initiate, evaluate, respond and comment, within the framework of the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association (Section) and the American Water Works Association’s (Association’s) policies, on legislative, regulatory and other matters which directly affect water utilities in Colorado and to encourage provision of better water service to the consuming public.
Committee Membership Water utilities that are members of the Association and are located in Colorado are considered voting members of the Council. The composition of the Council’s Executive Committee shall include a Past Chair, Chair, and a Vice Chair/Secretary, each of whom shall be elected through voting by the entire Council membership. The Council’s Executive Committee also includes four (4) additional at-large members from voting member organizations. The at-large members shall be elected through voting from the entire Council membership
Meeting Schedule Meetings are currently being held virtually on the first Friday of each month. Please reach out with questions or to be added to the mailing list.
Committee Purpose To enhance the credibility of water professionals in the Rocky Mountain Section states by promoting RMSAWWA activities and events, assisiting water providers with their public information activities, maintaining and updating the RMSAWWA website, and providing content for conferences and publications.
Committee Responsibilities Communicate events and issues on behalf of the Section, contribute articles, anecdotes, reports, and photographs to the Rocky Mountain Water magazine. Assist in coordinating publicity for the annual meeting. Assist in water utilities in enhancing their image with their customers. Educate utilities regarding public relations techniques.
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Chair Kari Larese, Highlands Ranch Water, 720-240-4909
Committee Purpose Provide hard working professionals who deliver life-sustaining services with the opportunity to network while building camradarie and collaborating through fun industry-related competitions.
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Chairs Nick Craig, City of Westminster, 303-658-2536 Jim Wielebnicki (Vice Chair), City of Westminster
Committee Purpose To share information about and enhance the value of water conservation and efficency, to provide opportunities for education and training for section membership, and to provide a network for conservation professionals.
Committee Responsibilities To advance and disseminate knowledge and information on water conservation, To coordinate applicable projects and activities such as workshops on training courses useful to the Section membership and interested utilities, Provide guidance in the development of water conservation programs, practices and research as they meet the needs of Section membership, Coordinate with the Awards Committee to review applications and select a winner for the Alice Darilek Conservation Award
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Chairs Hope Bartlett, City of Longmont Sam Schreier, Colorado Springs Utilities
Committee Purpose To promote volunteer and employment opportunities which fosters an inclusive environment, promots diversity, and bring together people in the advancement of themselves and the water industry.
Committee Responsibilities Review content and materials for inclusivity and equity. Create opportunities for outreach and support to disadvantage groups. Promote inclusive and diverse platforms for engagement and outreach. Embed DEI into RMSAWWA operations, events, and activities. To instill a culture where members feel a sense of belonging
Meeting Schedule Noon on every 3rd Tuesday of the month
Committee Purpose To recruit new members to the organization, retaing members, and facilitate current members' involvement in RMSAWWA.
Committee Purpose Establish and carry out programs to obtain new members, and retain existing members in AWWA throughout the Section. Develop a written plan and budget for the Section's membership activities. Disseminate Individual, Utility, and Organization brochures. Develop recruiting projects. Establish retention program
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Co-Chairs Rebecca Hutchinson, Merrick Chris Ceretta, CDM Smith
Committee Purpose To provide opportunities for education and training as well as provide networking opportunities for section membership located in New Mexico. In addition, the committee shares information about the Section and Association along with organizing and hosting the New Mexico Water Workshop, an annual 2-day education and training event held in Albuquerque, NM.
Other Committee Events Annual New Mexico Water Summit, Monthly Technical Noon Webinars, Facility Tours, Networking/Social Events
Meeting Schedule This committee meets via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month at 12 PM MST
Chair Amadeo Trujillo, Tierra West, (505) 858-3100
Committee Purpose The purpose of the Resilience and Risk Committee is to provide subject matter advice to the RMSAWWA about important issues related to climate change risk and system resiliency assessment, emergency preparedness, resilience and adaptive management planning to mitigate and adapt to risk, and inform the Association’s training, events, and advocacy work..
Committee Responsibilities Build awareness and understanding so that water users, regulators and elected officials make informed decision on climate change adaptation and mitigation, system resiliency, and emergency preparedness measures to manage risks affecting water sources and systems. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge so that Rocky Mountain Section has a competent and sustainable workforce, and water sector practitioners have opportunity to access information and obtain necessary knowledge to implement practical actions to mitigate the causes of and adapt to the impacts of climate change, improve system resiliency, and know how to recover from infrastructure failure. Encourage and facilitate member engagement so that members have a collective voice for risk and resilience issues, and the RMSAWWA has an influential and cohesive network to mitigate, adapt to risk and support emergency preparedness. Maintain strong connections to AWWA and WEF so that there is a collaborative approach to shared national and international water resilience and risk issues.
Meeting Schedule TBD.
Co-Chairs Mark Thomas, Denver Water 720-7741-9008 & Jason Taussig, Denver Water 303-628-6517
Committee Purpose Provide information and training on the challenges and successful approaches to building a sustainable water sector workforce for all organizations within the three (3) states of the Section.
Committee Topics Financial management (rates, changes, debt, sustainability, etc), Asset management, Benchmarking and performance management for organizational excellence, Strategic business planning, Incorporating "triple bottom line" thinking into utility culture, Regionalizing and intergovernmental agreements and arrangements, Leadership and supervision mangement and development, Knowledge management, Environmental management systems and continuous improvement, Information management strategies and practices, Adapting management practices from other sectors, Workforce strategies including recruitment and retaining, Professional development and sucession planning
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Co-Chairs Cindy Goodburn, Cindy Goodburn Consulting, (303) 435-1104 Brian Tracy, City of Golden, (303) 384-8135
Committee Purpose Provide relevant updates and training to operators and personnel responsible for water distribution systems that will help them avoid and manage acute and chronic delivery problems in order to maintain water quality in the system.
Committee Responsibilities To advance and disseminate knowledge and information regarding design, operation and maintenance of water distribution systems, To help the water industry focus on water quality in the distribution system,Contribute articles to Rocky Mountain Water, Hold at least one training event annually, Coordinate with the Awards Committee to review applications and select a winner for the Outstanding Distribution System Operator Award
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Committee Purpose To provide information to personnel responsible for water treatment plants that will help them avoid acute and chronic treatment problems and to maintain water quality to the delivery system.
Committee Responsibilities Advance and disseminate knowledge and information regarding design, operation, and maintenance of water treatment systems. Help the water industry focus on water quality in the water treatment plan. Contribute to the RMSAWWA section through publication of information.
Committee Activities The Water Treatment Committee is currently meeting virtually on the second Tuesday of the month.
Co-Chairs Cassia Sanchez, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Ann Malinaro, City of Aurora
Committee Purpose Develop and present a 2-day water and wastewater operator conference for all subjects related to distribution, collections, treatment and utility management. Industry vendors are given the opportunity to exhibit at the conference held in Grand Junction on an annual basis.
Meeting Schedule Ad-hoc (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
Committee Purpose To provide information, educational workshops and training on operations, maintenance, and management of water systems to operators and other water sector personnel in Wyoming.
Committee Purpose The purpose of this committee is to increase involvement of Young Professionals (YPs) in RMSAWWA and RMWEA activities, events, and committees. YPs are members who are under age 35 and/or with less than 10 years experience.
Committee Responsibilities Organize YP events throughout the year which may include social events, technical career development, community service, and mentoring/education partnerships with other committees.
Meeting Schedule Monthly (request to be added to committee email list for meeting notifications)
