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Post December 17, 2020 Colorado River Project Water Leaders Jenn Bowles

Colorado River Water Leaders

The 2022 Colorado River Water Leaders class at Hoover Dam during our Lower Colorado River Tour.Members of our 2022 Colorado River Water Leaders cohort enjoy a stop at Hoover Dam during our Lower Colorado River Tour.Known for our Water Leaders program in California, we launched a Colorado River Water Leaders program in 2022, the 100th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact and the 25th anniversary of our California Water Leaders program.

The biennial Colorado River Water Leaders program selects rising stars from the Upper and Lower basin states (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming), tribal nations and eventually will include Mexico. Participants are up-and-coming leaders in their early to mid-career at state and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation, water and irrigation districts, tribal nations, environmental groups, agricultural interests, private companies and non-governmental organizations. 

The program’s goal is to build a network of water leaders from diverse backgrounds across the basin who will deepen their knowledge of the iconic Southwestern river, build their leadership skills and learn how to understand other perspectives.

Our next Colorado River Water Leaders cohort will be in 2026, with applications available in late 2025. Sign up for our news announcements to find out when they are available.

To find out more about the program, you can view a recording of a Q&A session that took place for 2024 cohort applications. Executive Director Jenn Bowles and other Foundation team members provided an overview of the program and gave tips on how to submit a good application.

The program begins with a reception in Las Vegas the evening before our three-day Lower Colorado River Tour (usually in March) and concludes with our Colorado River Symposium in Santa Fe (usually in September).

During the program, Water Leaders:

  • Are paired with a mentor who is a leading Colorado River expert
  • Develop a policy paper with their cohort on an assigned topic 
  • Attend virtual work group meetings with their cohort
  • Attend our Lower Colorado River Tour
  • Attend our biennial Colorado River Symposium in Santa Fe to present policy ideas

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Post December 17, 2020 Colorado River Project Water Leaders Jenn Bowles
Overview May 29, 2014 Colorado River Basin Map

Colorado River Project

Established in 1997, the Foundation’s program dedicated to the lifeline of the Southwest is known as the Colorado River Project. It is focused on educating people about challenges facing the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins and assisting the various interest parties in the two basins in reaching common ground. Financial support for the project is provided through a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper and Lower Colorado Regions along with contributions from agencies, companies and individuals.

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Overview February 7, 2014 Water Leaders Program Pairs Class Members with Experts in Policy, Management and Science Water Leaders Program Gives Big-Picture View of California, Informative Tours and Invaluable Contacts Jenn Bowles

Water Leaders

Since 1997, the Water Education Foundation has hosted California’s premier water leadership program, the William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Class. The program is aimed at up-and-coming community leaders from diverse backgrounds, including members of minority and ethnic communities, who show a committed interest in water.

In 2022, the Foundation launched the inaugural Colorado River Water Leaders program on the 100th anniversary year of the Colorado River Compact.

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Profile May 23, 2014

Jenn Bowles
Executive Director

A veteran journalist who has covered water issues across the West for some 25 years, Jenn joined the Water Education Foundation in 2014. She directs the development of Western Water news, the Layperson’s Guide series on key water topics, the Foundation’s Colorado River project, water maps and tours, and various workshops and conferences. She oversees the Water Leader programs and leads fund-raising, external communications, and website and social media efforts.

In December 2016, she led an international journalism workshop on water issues for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Held in Tehran, the workshop included participants from Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Oman and Malaysia. You can read her blog about the experience here.

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