Welcome to the Grand Valley Water Committee Newsletter!

The Grand Valley Water Committee (GVWC) is a watershed group dedicated to collaborative, sustainable water management in the Grand Valley Watershed. Funded through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSmart Cooperative Watershed Management Program, we work to enhance ecological health, improve drought resilience, and support both agricultural and municipal water needs through strategic planning and project development in the Colorado Headwaters–Plateau Watershed. As part of this effort, we share resources, events, workshops, and water-related updates through a quarterly newsletter to keep the community informed and engaged.

As we near the end of the year, we want to extend a thank you to everyone who has engaged and participated in the GVWC in 2025! We are grateful for your continued support, partnership, and engagement!

Want to learn more about the GVWC?

Click the links below to view more information!

The GVWC is proud to share its Resource Hub! Click the button below to learn more about available resources on soil health, irrigation, agribusiness management, weather and climate, ag-informed behavioral health, and much more!

Grand Valley Water Committee News

Find upcoming events, opportunities, and classes from the GVWC and more…

Delta-Mesa Colorado Master Irrigator Registration Opening Soon

The Delta-Mesa Colorado Master Irrigator program helps producers stay profitable while adopting tools and strategies to improve water efficiency. This non-profit, 32-hour course will be offered annually through a partnership between Delta and Mesa Conservation Districts. The 2026 curriculum will cover canal issues and protocols, soil health, and irrigating with limited water. The 2026 program will be held every Wednesday in February! (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th).

The demand for water on Colorado’s Western Slope continues to rise with population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Encouraging water-efficient habits across rural and urban communities requires ongoing communication and education. To learn more about the program, click the button below—and keep an eye out for open registration!

RiversEdge West Riparian Restoration Conference

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026-10:00 am to Thursday, March 5, 2026-1:00 pm

Where: Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO. Sessions will be at CMU's University Center.

Since 2001, RiversEdge West has hosted riparian restoration conferences that address the challenges and opportunities of managing riverside habitat in the arid West. These events bring together practitioners, students, and researchers to share new science, explore innovative techniques, highlight successful projects, and collaborate with land managers and community partners—strengthening relationships and advancing restoration efforts.

Year-End Water Efficiency Rebates Now Available!

The City of Grand Junction is offering DOUBLE rebates now through Dec. 31, 2025. All items must be purchased and installed before applying. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

Water-saving rebate items include: toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, rain barrels, smart irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, rain sensors, high-efficiency rotor nozzles, and tree inline drip/drip irrigation conversion components. 

Rebates are on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify, the property must be located within the City of Grand Junction water service area. Click the link to learn more or to submit a rebate application.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Continues Increased Zebra Mussel Sampling on the Colorado River with Multi-Agency Effort

On October 29, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and partner agencies conducted a one-day survey of the Colorado River from Grand County to Westwater, Utah, as well as the Eagle, Roaring Fork, and lower Gunnison rivers, sampling roughly 200 locations over 200 miles. The effort confirmed adult zebra mussels near Rifle and, after follow-up surveys, additional adults in Glenwood Canyon. The Colorado River is now considered infested from the Eagle River confluence to the Colorado-Utah border; no mussels have been found upstream of the Eagle River.

CPW asks that water users connected to the Colorado River or local canals watch for zebra mussels and report sightings. Owners of ponds or lakes using this water can request sampling by CPW staff at Invasive.Species@state.co.us

Plateau Chapter Meeting - Plant ID training and Winter Social Hosted by Maggie Gaddis

December 3rd, 6 pm-7:30 pm in-person and virtual meeting. The in-person meeting will be held at 2328 Monument Rd. Grand Junction, CO, 81507

Join the Native Plant Society to take your plant observation to the next level. Learn how to identify your field observations using iNaturalist, Flora of Colorado, by Jennifer Ackerfield, and a hand lens. We will also discuss the 2026 Annual Conference on May 23rd. There will be a potluck! Please sign up to bring food here. Bring books and seeds to share. 

Mesa Conservation District is excited to lead the GVWC! We want to say thank you to all the GVWC members who helped to make this newsletter possible! To learn more or get involved with the GVWC or its project teams, please visit our website using the link below or contact: mesaconservationdistrict@gmail.com.