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#UGRWCD
About Us
THE UPPER GUNNISON RIVER WATERSHED
The Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District is located in south-central Colorado in the headwaters of the Gunnison River Basin. The mainstem of the Gunnison River which forms at the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers in Almont, picks up other tributaries on its way into Blue Mesa Reservoir. Seven tributary mountain watersheds make up most of the Upper Gunnison River Basin. These seven are Ohio Creek, East River which includes the Slate River, Taylor River, Tomichi Creek which includes Quartz Creek, Cochetopa Creek, and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison.
Approximately 82% of the lands located within the District are federal public lands. Agriculture accounts for over 97% of the current water diversions in the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The total amount of irrigated acreage in the Basin is over 66,000 acres, mostly irrigated hay and pasture. The Basin is also known for its recreational activities such as fishing, boating, skiing, hunting, and camping; and this is a continually growing part of the local economy.
UGRWCD staff
210 West Spencer, Suite B Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-6065
Sonja Chavez
Sonja joined the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District as General Manager in December 2019. Sonja received both her BA in Environmental Biology and an MA in Limnology (study of freshwater systems) from the University of Colorado. Her areas of expertise are in water quality, water resources management, funding acquisition, and environmental and natural resource sciences, policy and planning.
JOHN McCLOW
John is a graduate of Colorado Law. He has represented the District since 1991, becoming full time General Counsel in 2006. His work has consisted, in part, of water court litigation, including basin-wide plans for augmentation, and legislative advocacy. John has served on numerous boards, commissions, and organizations involving Colorado water, including the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Upper Colorado River Commission, and Colorado Water Congress.
Jill Steele
Jill has worked for the District since 1994. She received her degree in Accounting from Western State Colorado University and is the District’s office manager and accountant.
Beverly Richards
Beverly has been with the District since 2005. Since joining the District, she went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Environmental Management and Planning. Beverly works as the water resource specialist for the District and handles augmentation contracts among her other duties. She is also a staff member of the Watershed Management Planning, Grant, Project, and Education Committees.
Sue Uerling
Sue Uerling joined the staff in September 2020 as the Administrative Assistant. She will serve as the front-line contact with the public and will assist with Board meeting preparation tasks and public relations. Sue has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has spent 30 plus years in a variety of administrative and managerial roles primarily for nonprofit organizations.
District Board Members
The UGRWCD is governed by a board of eleven directors who are appointed by the Chief District Judge and represent eight geographical divisions. The divisions include Hinsdale County – Michelle Pierce; Saguache County – Rebie Hazard; Tomichi Creek – Joellen Fonken; Taylor River – Don Sabrowski; Crested Butte – Rosemary Carroll and Julie Nania; Ohio Creek – Stacy McPhail; Gunnison River – Andy Spann; and, the City of Gunnison – Bill Nesbitt, John Perusek and George Sibley. A Director must reside and own real property within his or her division and must be knowledgeable in water matters affecting the Upper Gunnison River Basin.
Michelle Pierce
Division 1 - Hinsdale County
Term Expires 2023
Stacy McPhail
Division 6 - Ohio Creek
Term Expires 2022
George Sibley
Division 8 - City of Gunnison
Term Expires 2022
Bill Nesbitt
Division 8 - City of Gunnison
Term Expires 2024
Rebie Hazard
Division 2 - Saguache County
Term Expires 2023
Joellen Fonken
Division 3 - Tomichi Creek
Term Expires 2023
Don Sabrowski
Division 4 - Taylor River
Term Expires 2024
Julie Nania
Division 5 - Crested Butte
Term Expires 2021
Rosemary Carroll
Division 5 - Crested Butte
Term Expires 2023
Andy Spann
Division 7 - Gunnison River
Term Expires 2022
John Perusek
Division 8 - City of Gunnison
Term Expires 2022
General Inquiries
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Michelle Pierce was appointed to the UGRWCD Board of Directors in June 2015 representing Division 1, Hinsdale County. Michelle currently serves as the President of the Board. Her term expires in 2023. Michelle describes herself as a “layman” when it comes to water issues even though she was instrumental in helping facilitate one of the most important watershed management projects in the history of Hinsdale County. Read more here.
STANDING COMMITTEES
2019-2020
Education Committee: Chair – Bill Nesbitt, George Sibley, Rosemary Carroll, Joellen Fonken, Stacy McPhail, Sonja Chavez, Beverly Richards
Executive Committee: Chair – Michelle Pierce – President; Stacy McPhail – Vice President; Bill Nesbitt – Treasurer; George Sibley – Secretary
Finance Committee: Chair – Bill Nesbitt, Rebie Hazard, Michelle Pierce, John Perusek, Sonja Chavez, Jill Steele
Grant Committee: Rebie Hazard, Andy Spann, Rosemary Carroll, Julie Nania, Joellen Fonken, Sonja Chavez, Beverly Richards
Legislative Committee: Chair – Michelle Pierce, Rebie Hazard, Julie Nania, Andy Spann, John McClow, Sonja Chavez
Projects Committee: Bill Nesbitt, Rosemary Carroll, George Sibley, John Perusek, Don Sabrowski, John McClow, Sonja Chavez, Beverly Richards
Water Administration Committee: Joellen Fonken, Rebie Hazard, Andy Spann, Michelle Pierce, John McClow, Sonja Chavez
Watershed Management Planning Committee – Chair – Stacy McPhail, George Sibley, Andy Spann, Michelle Pierce, Julie Nania, John McClow, Sonja Chavez, Beverly Richards
