Roaring Fork Conservancy (RFC) sprang to life in the midst of a watershed movement in Colorado during the late 1990s. Throughout the state, interested communities and grass roots efforts yielded fledgling watershed groups organized around various local water issues. In 1996, the Roaring Fork Club and the Town of Basalt had the vision to establish a non-profit organization to promote water conservation practices and the protection of the Roaring Fork River, and RFC was born.
Like any new organization, the first steps RFC took were close to home, working with the Roaring Fork Club to create healthier riparian habitat and helping the Town of Basalt develop a plan for the 3 miles of Roaring Fork River that flow through town. However, soon after the creation of the organization, founding board members noted that protecting the Roaring Fork River meant protecting all the water that flows into it, which includes the entire Roaring Fork Watershed. Soon RFC was taking its mission and its message of watershed protection to the far reaches of the watershed. The organization they established was the first group focused solely on river and water issues in the Roaring Fork Watershed.
Over the past 20+ years, RFC has grown to be one of the most respected watershed action and education organizations in Colorado. Much of that success has come from the people who have worked alongside RFC to help make it what it is today.
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1996 |
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November |
Roaring Fork Conservancy founded by Town of Basalt and Roaring Fork Club; Shane Harvey elected first President of the Board of Directors (1996-2004) |
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December |
Receive 501(c)3 status |
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1997 |
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March |
Articles of Incorporation adopted |
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April |
Jeanne Beaudry hired as first employee (Executive Director) |
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July |
Scientific study completed of three mile Basalt stretch of Roaring Fork River |
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October |
Become part of the River Watch Network, overseeing 24 local water quality monitoring sites in the watershed (1997-present) |
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1998 |
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September |
Field program created to establish better relationship with outfitters |
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May |
Development Director hired; first newsletter published; annual campaign established |
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July |
Education program begins under direction of Leigh Gillette |
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August |
Roaring Fork Conservancy helps create Basalt River Days festival (1998-2010) |
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December |
Heron Point conservation easement becomes the first Roaring Fork Conservancy easement, protecting seven acres of riparian habitat along the Roaring Fork River |
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1999 |
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March |
Roaring Fork Conservancy helps the Town of Basalt adopt a minimum set-back from rivers and streams within the town limits. |
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May |
First Annual Fryingpan River Cleanup organized (1999-present) |
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June |
Receive Environmental Stewardship Award from the Town of Carbondale |
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July |
Roaring Fork Conservancy receives $36,000 from the State of Colorado under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act for the Basalt Education and Stormwater Study |
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August |
Park East conservation easement adopted, protecting eight acres of riparian corridor and hillside |
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2000 |
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January |
Rivers Council formed as a fundraising arm of Roaring Fork Conservancy |
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February |
Cattle Creek Confluence conservation easement adopted, protecting 54 acres of riparian corridor along the Roaring Fork River and Cattle Creek near Glenwood Springs |
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February |
Crystal River Confluence conservation easement adopted, protecting six acres of riparian wetlands along the Crystal River near Carbondale |
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March |
Participate in Town of Basalt Master Plan round-tables |
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June |
Emma Open Space conservation easement finalized, protecting 74 acres of migration corridor and wetlands near Basalt |
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July |
First annual River Rendezvous fundraising event established (2000-present) |
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2001 |
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September |
Basalt Stormwater Evaluations and Recommendations Report completed |
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Fall |
Help found the Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative to bring diverse water interests together |
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November |
Help pass the Basalt Open Space and Riverfront Parks initiatives which creates a $3 million fund for land acquisition |
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December |
First State of the Rivers Report published, outlining the current health of the Roaring Fork Watershed rivers |
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2002 |
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April |
Launch of expanded and improved website www.roaringfork.org |
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May |
First River Guide School training conducted with local fishing and rafting guides (2002-present) |
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June |
Fryingpan Valley Economic Study completed |
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July |
Summer drought conditions prompt Roaring Fork Conservancy to push for new temporary instream flow donation legislation in Colorado legislature through a Rippy-sponsored bill during 2003 session and a Curry-sponsored bill during 2005 session. |
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September |
Introduce new Watershed Education Programs designed to help students better understand water-related issues and resources |
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October |
Blue Creek Ranch Conservation Easement finalized protecting 20 acres of riparian cottonwood forest along the Roaring Fork River |
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November |
Filoha Meadows Open Space Conservation Easement adopted, protecting 50 acres of riparian habitat, beaver ponds, and critical winter range along Crystal River |
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December |
A Voice for Our Rivers video about Roaring Fork Conservancy completed after five years of filming |
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2003 |
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January |
Roaring Fork Conservancy helps establish Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative Water Group |
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March |
Glenwood Springs Stormwater Assessment and Education completed |
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June |
Fryingpan/Roaring Fork Fisheries Study completed |
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July |
Harry Teague Architects selected to design future River Center |
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July |
Selected to represent environmental interests on Colorado Basin Roundtable of Colorado’s Statewide Water Supply Initiative |
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September |
Fryingpan/Roaring Fork River Macroinvertebrate Report completed |
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September |
First edition of the Roaring Fork Watershed Inventory published |
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October |
Selected as host watershed group for the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Colorado Watershed Assembly annual conference |
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December |
Roaring Fork Conservancy adopts revised mission statement: “To inspire people to explore, value, and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed.” |
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2004 |
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January |
Diane Schwener becomes second President of the Board of Directors (2004-2011) |
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February |
Blue Creek Ranch donates two acres for future field study center along Roaring Fork River |
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April |
National Association for Interpretation Program Director Lisa Brochu helps staff and board create interpretive themes for future River Center |
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June |
1st Annual River Float on Lower Roaring Fork River attracts over 140 people |
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July |
Stream Flow Survey project commences to model flows in Roaring Fork Watershed |
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August |
Emma Overlook project along Emma Trail near Basalt completed |
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2005 |
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January |
Jeanne Beaudry steps down from Executive Director position after eight years with organization |
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February |
Fryingpan Valley & Ruedi Reservoir Visitor’s Guide completed |
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April |
Partnership with Pitkin County Open Space & Trails established to provide interpretive and educational programs on Pitkin County Open Spaces (2005-present) |
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May |
Roaring Fork Conservancy moves and expands offices in downtown Basalt |
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May |
Rick Lofaro hired as second Executive Director |
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June |
Roaring Fork Conservancy purchases land for future River Center in downtown Basalt |
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July |
Watershed Adoption Program commences to raise funds for program-specific work of Roaring Fork Conservancy |
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December |
Burry conservation easement adopted, protecting eight acres of riparian corridor along the Roaring Fork River |
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2006 |
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January |
Roaring Fork Conservancy begins celebration of its 10th anniversary year |
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February |
Stream Flow Survey report published |
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August |
First annual High Mountain Masters benefit fly-fishing tournament held (2006 & 2007) |
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October |
Roaring Fork Watershed 2006 Water Quality Report published |
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November |
Roaring Fork Conservancy turned ten! |
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2007 |
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January |
Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative initiates State of Watershed Report. Roaring Fork Conservancy is lead consultant, RWAPA is lead sponsor |
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February |
Release of RFC study of Bureau of Reclamation's Coordinated May 2006 Release from Ruedi Reservoir |
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March |
Roaring Fork Conservancy unveils new logo and look as a result of year-long branding process |
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September |
Organization commissions coordinated study of major mud flow on Seven Castles Creek in August |
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September |
13-acre Grange River Conservation Easement established to protect riparian habitat on Roaring Fork River |
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September |
13-acre Fourmile Creek Conservation Easement established |
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November |
2-acre Powerhouse Conservation Easement on Crystal River near Redstone established |
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December |
16-acre Grange Riverfront Conservation Easement on Roaring Fork River near Basalt established |
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2008 |
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April |
10th Annual Fryingpan River Cleanup |
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May |
RFC and Miller Ecological publish report on Seven Castles/Fryingpan River mudflow that occurred in August 2007 |
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October |
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Phase II guidance document "Why the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Matters" published |
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October |
1-acre Gerbaz Bridge Conservation Easement established allowing public river access to Roaring Fork River |
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November |
State of the Roaring Fork Watershed Report published |
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December |
Partners with Pitkin County on 9-acre Grange Loadout conservation easement near Filoha Meadows |
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2009 |
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March |
River Stewards friends network established |
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June |
Roaring Fork Conservancy begins water quality baseline sampling in Thompson Divide area |
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September |
Roaring Fork Watershed Collaborative hosts public meetings to gain input on Roaring Fork Watershed Plan |
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October |
Energy efficiency study on River Center design completed |
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December |
First annual Midwinters Evening of Art benefit (2009-present) |
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2010 |
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January |
University of Michigan grad students begin study of Roaring Fork Watershed Plan implementation |
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February |
Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Phase II guidance document "Illuminating the Way Ahead" published |
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March |
Tapped film campaign encourages drinking tap water over bottled water |
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June |
Roaring Fork Conservancy hosts Roaring Fork Watershed Summit with 80 elected officials and key agency staff |
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June |
Basalt Town Council approves River Center conceptual plan |
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October |
Roaring Fork Conservancy produces Voter's Guide to Water Issues |
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October |
Colorado River Month in Roaring Fork Watershed raises awareness of larger watershed |
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2011 |
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January |
Roaring Fork Conservancy assists with production of Front Range Water Supply Planning Update report |
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January |
Roaring Fork Conservancy and University of Michigan publish Fostering Implementation of the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan Report |
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February |
Children's Water Education Fund established |
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March |
Town of Basalt approves River Center |
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March |
Draft Roaring Fork Watershed Plan released |
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June |
Thompson Divide Baseline Water Quality Study Completed |
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August |
2.7 acre Silver Lining Ranch Conservation Easement established along upper Roaring Fork River |
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October |
Business Membership campaign launched |
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October |
Watershed-wide Macroinvertebrate Study launched |
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November |
Roaring Fork Conservancy turned 15! |
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December |
Ramsey Kropf becomes third President of Board of Directors (2011-2014) |
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2012 |
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January |
River Center exhibit design initiated |
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March |
Published Roaring Fork Watershed Plan |
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April |
Opportunities for Water Conservation report published |
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May |
Crystal River designated one of America's Most Endangered Rivers |
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May |
Roaring Fork Watershed Stream Gage Needs Workshop report published |
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June |
Site Recommendations for Stream Discharge Gaging on Top Tier Priority Reaches in the Roaring Fork Watershed report published |
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July |
2011 Macroinvertebrate Study report published |
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Summer |
Responded to 2012 Drought conditions with Hot Spots for Trout citizen temperature monitoring, water leasing, stream flow reports |
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September |
Coal Basin pilot restoration project initiated |
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September |
Upper Roaring Fork and Crystal River Snapshot Assessment study initiated |
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October |
Published second Voters' Guide to Water Issues and co-hosted Candidate Forum |
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November |
Completed Design Development of River Center building and site with architect |
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2013 |
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January |
Completed Schematic Design of River Center exhibits with exhibit design team |
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March |
Initiated Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan River Assessment including macroinvertebrate, temperature, American Dipper, Didymo, and economic studies. |
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April |
Partnered with Natural Resource Management Program at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville and Colorado State University to conduct specific aspects of Assessment. |
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May |
Completed 2012 Macroinvertebrate Targeted Studies |
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June |
Reinstated Hot Spots for Trout monitoring with over 50 volunteers |
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June |
Reel in Water Use Campaign promoting water conservation |
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August |
John Denver Sanctuary wetland planting project in partnership with City of Aspen and Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers |
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September |
Initiated Crystal River Stream Management Plan |
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December |
Hired new Watershed Education Director |
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2014 |
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Spring |
Engaged local citizens and over 300 school children in submitting comments on the Colorado Water Plan |
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May |
Released final reports for American Dipper survey and macroinvertebrate study as part of the Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan River Assessment |
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June |
Promoted current staff to Watershed Action Director |
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June |
Roaring Fork Conservancy water quality data utilized to designate Thompson Creek as Outstanding Waters |
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Summer |
Surveyed over 350 people along Fryingpan River and 160 at Ruedi Reservoir for the Economic Study as part of the Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan River Assessment |
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August |
Offered three professional development opportunities to local teachers including training in the National Fishing in Schools Program and Project WET® |
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September |
Completed Bathometric and Topographic Mapping, Water Rights Allocation and Accounting Model and Water Quality Data Analysis on Crystal River |
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October |
Released third issue of the Roaring Fork Valley Voters’ Guide to Water issues |
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November |
Roaring Fork Conservancy turned 18! |
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December |
Over 85,000 students reached in RFC education programs |
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2015 |
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Winter |
Redesigned River Center building plans |
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April |
Hired Project Manager for River Center |
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May |
Hired new Education and Outreach Coordinator and Development Associate |
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June |
Released Economic Study as part of the Comprehensive Lower Fryingpan River Assessment |
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July |
Launched new website! |
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August |
Hosted 1st Annual Roaring Fork Conservancy Golf Classic |
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2016 |
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April |
Published the Crystal River Management Plan, the 1st stream management plan in Colorado |
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May |
Published the Crystal River Valley Visitor Guide |
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May |
Taught our 100,000th student in our 20 year history! | |
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June |
Organized the 1st Riparian Workshop in the Roaring Fork watershed, "Think Outside the Banks" |
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June |
Offered our 1st week-long Fly Fishing Camp and 3-day Fly Fishing Clinic for youth |
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2017 |
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May |
Taught the first Rain Barrel Workshop in Western Colorado |
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June |
Published our 1st children's book Dee Dee the Fryingpan River Dipper |
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2018 |
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June |
Moved into The River Center! |
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June |
Revamped a citizen science project originally introduced in 2012 - Hot Spots for Trout - where volunteers monitored stream temperatures throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed during an intensely dry and hot year. |
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2019 |
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February |
Created The Brooksher Watershed Institute and hosted 7 speakers in its first year |
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May |
Launched Keep it Clean West Slope Partnership |
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August |
Created Roaring Fork Watershed Interactive Information System Map |
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2020 |
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March |
Created many virtual watershed education lessons to accommodate learning during COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home order. Implemented Augmented Reality Sand Table in education programs. | |
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July |
Revamped Hot Spots for Trout citizen science water temperature monitoring program | |
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2021 |
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July |
Revamped Hot Spots for Trout citizen science water temperature monitoring program | |
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November |
Celebrating 25 years of inspiring people to explore, value and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed. | |
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