Roaring Fork Conservancy

Directions Website

Roaring Fork Conservancy Bringing People Together to Protect Our Rivers We are currently funded through individual donations, grants, special events, and program fees.

Founded in November 1996 through a unique public-private partnership, Roaring Fork Conservancy has become one of the most respected watershed conservation organizations in Colorado. Jeanne Beaudry served as first Executive Director from 1997 to 2005 and long-time staffer Rick Lofaro became the second Executive Director in May of 2005. Roaring Fork Conservancy's offices have been located in Basalt, the geographic center of the watershed, from the time of its inception. In 2000, Roaring Fork Conservancy formed the Rivers Council to help raise support for the organization's five program areas: watershed education, land conservation, river stewardship, water resources research, and water quality monitoring. In 2003, Roaring Fork Conservancy co-founded the Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative Water Committee, an ad-hoc committee of over 50 governments, agencies, non-profits, and citizens that proactively addresses water issues in the watershed.

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆRivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year...
10/08/2026

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year. Fall was ushered in with rain and a dusting of snow in the high country. Despite increased precipitation over the last few weeks, the watershed remains in exceptional and extreme drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. There is one week left of the 2026 Water Year, and it will likely be recorded as the hottest on record. This water year, which runs October 1-September 30, broke records for the lowest snowpack, and the warmest meteorological winter, spring, and summer on record. Contract releases from Ruedi Reservoir continue to provide water dedicated to the Grand Valley irrigators. Those releases will gradually decrease as irrigation season comes to a close in the next few weeks. Whether angling, hiking, biking, or hunting, enjoy the beauty of the fall colors on display in the mountains.

We thank our friends at Alpine Bank for supporting our River Reports.

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆRivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year...
10/01/2026

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year. Fall was ushered in with rain and a dusting of snow in the high country. Despite increased precipitation over the last few weeks, the watershed remains in exceptional and extreme drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. There is one week left of the 2026 Water Year, and it will likely be recorded as the hottest on record. This water year, which runs October 1-September 30, broke records for the lowest snowpack, and the warmest meteorological winter, spring, and summer on record. Contract releases from Ruedi Reservoir continue to provide water dedicated to the Grand Valley irrigators. Those releases will gradually decrease as irrigation season comes to a close in the next few weeks. Whether angling, hiking, biking, or hunting, enjoy the beauty of the fall colors on display in the mountains.

We thank our friends at Alpine Bank for supporting our River Reports.

๐ŸŽฃ ๐“˜๐“ฝ'๐“ผ ๐“๐“ช๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ธ๐“ท๐“ช๐“ต ๐“—๐“พ๐“ท๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฐ ๐“ช๐“ท๐“ญ ๐“•๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ฑ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฐ ๐““๐“ช๐”‚!๐ŸŽฃEstablished by United States Congress in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day...
09/26/2026

๐ŸŽฃ ๐“˜๐“ฝ'๐“ผ ๐“๐“ช๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ธ๐“ท๐“ช๐“ต ๐“—๐“พ๐“ท๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฐ ๐“ช๐“ท๐“ญ ๐“•๐“ฒ๐“ผ๐“ฑ๐“ฒ๐“ท๐“ฐ ๐““๐“ช๐”‚!๐ŸŽฃ

Established by United States Congress in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day is observed on the fourth Saturday of September each year to honor hunters and anglers for their leadership and essential role in conserving America's wildlife and habitat. National Hunting and Fishing Day coincides with National Public Lands Day each year.

Recently, Governor Jared Polis officially proclaimed September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Colorado as a tribute to sportspersons and their yearly contribution of $3.25 billion spent on a broad range of outdoor activities in Colorado.

๐“ข๐“ฝ๐“ช๐“ฝ๐“ฎ ๐“ธ๐“ฏ ๐“’๐“ธ๐“ต๐“ธ๐“ป๐“ช๐“ญ๐“ธ
๐“Ÿ๐“ก๐“ž๐“’๐“›๐“๐“œ๐“๐“ฃ๐“˜๐“ž๐“
WHEREAS, the State of Colorado is committed to healthy landscapes, thriving wildlife populations, and a citizenry dedicated to stewardship of our natural resources; and

WHEREAS, National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by the United States Congress in 1972 to recognize the contributions of hunters and anglers to wildlife conservation and is observed each year on the fourth Saturday of September; and

WHEREAS, for generations, hunting, fishing, and wild game have sustained Native American Tribes, contributed to Colorado's history and culture, and helped shape the traditions and communities of our state; and

WHEREAS, regulated and ethical hunting and fishing have been protected under Colorado law for over 150 years and are
important activities for many Coloradans, connecting people to the land, water, wildlife, and natural heritage that define our state; and

WHEREAS, Colorado's hunters and anglers value wild places, healthy forests, vibrant prairies, clean waters, and the habitats
that sustain wildlife across our state; and

WHEREAS, hunters and anglers play a vital role in conserving wildlife and supporting science-based wildlife management through volunteerism, license fees, and excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, helping fund habitat conservation and healthy ecosystems that benefit a wide variety of wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, these conservation investments benefit all Coloradans and visitors, whether they hunt, fish, watch wildlife, or recreate outdoors, and help ensure future generations can enjoy Colorado's natural heritage; and

WHEREAS, hunting and fishing contribute alongside other outdoor recreation activities to Colorado's economy by supporting rural communities, local businesses, outdoor recreation opportunities, and jobs across the state; and

WHEREAS, hunting and fishing reflect enduring Colorado values as outdoor traditions, a tool of wildlife management, and expressions of our shared commitment to conserving the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which people and nature depend; and

WHEREAS, Colorado Parks and Wildlife works throughout the year to recruit, introduce, and mentor new hunters and anglers, helping ensure these traditions and the conservation ethic they foster continue for generations to come

THEREFORE, I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim September 26, 2026, as HUNTING AND FISHING DAY

https://congressionalsportsmen.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CO-National-Hunting-and-Fishing-Day-Proclamation.pdf

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆRivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year...
09/24/2026

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Rivers in the Roaring Fork Watershed are currently flowing 40-65% of normal for this time of year. Fall was ushered in with rain and a dusting of snow in the high country. Despite increased precipitation over the last few weeks, the watershed remains in exceptional and extreme drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. There is one week left of the 2026 Water Year, and it will likely be recorded as the hottest on record. This water year, which runs October 1-September 30, broke records for the lowest snowpack, and the warmest meteorological winter, spring, and summer on record. Contract releases from Ruedi Reservoir continue to provide water dedicated to the Grand Valley irrigators. Those releases will gradually decrease as irrigation season comes to a close in the next few weeks. Whether angling, hiking, biking, or hunting, enjoy the beauty of the fall colors on display in the mountains.

We thank our friends at The Colorado Wildlife Council for supporting our River Reports. See less

๐Ÿ“† Tuesday, Sept. 29 ๐Ÿ•˜ 9am-2pm๐Ÿ“ Snowmass, Colorado ๐Ÿ’ณ $50When we turn the tap on, water appears instantaneously, almost li...
09/19/2026

๐Ÿ“† Tuesday, Sept. 29
๐Ÿ•˜ 9am-2pm
๐Ÿ“ Snowmass, Colorado
๐Ÿ’ณ $50

When we turn the tap on, water appears instantaneously, almost like magic...
Come and learn firsthand how water is delivered to Snowmass Village, a high alpine town spanning 1,500 vertical feet. Trace the path of water from mountain streams to the taps of 3,000 people - that expands five-fold in peak season!

Tour with staff from Snowmass Water and Sanitation District and Roaring Fork Conservancy and gain an appreciation for the unique challenges of delivering water fresh to our taps and cleaning wastewater to industry-leading standards.

Weโ€™ll also tour the beautiful Ziegler Reservoir, an important storage area with environmental benefits.

Get additional details and register at https://roaringfork.org/events/snowmass-water-supply-tour/

Limited to 10 participants. Sign up soon!

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆRivers throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed increased over last weekโ€™s all time lows and are cur...
09/17/2026

๐Ÿ’ฆ ๐–๐„๐„๐Š๐‹๐˜ ๐‘๐ˆ๐•๐„๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“ ๐Ÿ’ฆ

Rivers throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed increased over last weekโ€™s all time lows and are currently flowing 43-84% of normal for this time of year. Rainfall totals over the last week varied significantly throughout the watershed and contributed to multiple mudslides. The Crystal River valley received the most dramatic rain totals in the last week, with ranges estimated from 0.13- 4.07 inches! On Monday, September 14, the gage in the Crystal River in Redstone captured an intense storm and mudslide, when flows went from 53 cfs at 11am to 492 cfs by 4:45pm! While all precipitation is welcome, it will take a lot of moisture to alleviate the prolonged drought. Slow, steady rain is best for saturating thirsty soils and vegetation, and minimizing mudslides. Releases from Ruedi Reservoir increased 50 cfs today and will increase an additional 50 cfs on Friday, which will bring flows in the lower Fryingpan River to 170 cfs. These releases were requested by the Grand Valley Irrigators who grow Palisade peaches, grapes, apples, vegetables and more. Their growing season continues until around November 1.

We thank our friends at The Colorado Wildlife Council for supporting our River Reports.

Last day - come and view the artwork created by 20 artists, capturing the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley!We'll be at ...
08/09/2026

Last day - come and view the artwork created by 20 artists, capturing the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley!

We'll be at Snowmass Base Village from 10am-4pm today.

Find out more, including who all the fabulous artists are, at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

If you are looking for something to do today, why not stop by The Snowmass Plein Air Festival and view the beautiful art...
08/08/2026

If you are looking for something to do today, why not stop by The Snowmass Plein Air Festival and view the beautiful art created by 20 artists ((including locally-based Amy Beidleman, Doug Graybeal, Nika Meyers and Jamie Wall).

You may even purchase a painting or two - some of those proceeds will benefit Roaring Fork Conservancy!

We look forward to seeing you today AND tomorrow!

Learn more at https://www.gosnowmass.com/event/plein-air-art-festival/

Address

22800 Two Rivers Road
Basalt, CO
81621

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Roaring Fork Conservancy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share