1969

Original Water Officials Meeting

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1973

Annual meeting in Denver. First re-organization of the association, Named "State Water Officials Association"

Original mission statement: "For the advancement of the service in the distribution of water for the administrative code in the State of Colorado. Bob Samples from Division One was elected President and the proposed Constitution and By-laws were amended and approved. It was established that annual meetings were to be held in numerical order by Division. The Personnel Officer who was at the meeting served notice that all time sheets (called per diem) would be submitted by the Division Engineer on the 25th of each month. If not in by then, the employee would not get paid until the next month. Also, mention of "per annum" employee mileage reports being subject to the same regulation. Water Officials recommendation to the Personnel Office for classifications to be established for 4 grades of Water Commissioner and 2 grades of Deputies.  Lots accomplished at this original re-organization for establishing standards for the CWOA as it exists today. 

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1973-1993

Minutes are unavailable

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1993

In 1993 in a little restaurant across the river from here, several of us met and decided that we wanted the Water Officials Association to be a more viable organization, or cease to be. Present at the meeting were, then President, Glen Humiston, Scott Hummer, Perry Alspaugh, Bruce Whitehead, Harold Baxstrom and myself (unknown). 

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We decided to propose re-organization as Colorado Water Officials Association, with a new mission statement - To provide an organization through which Water Resource Professionals within the Department of Natural Resources can educate the State's citizens as to the importance of water rights administration and management as well as to inform the General Assembly and local government and organizations about important water issues. 

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The Director of Natural Resources, Ken Salazar gave his approval of the re-organization and we were up and running.

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1994       

At the annual meeting in Pueblo, we adopted the re-organized constitution and by-laws for the new Colorado Water Officials Association. We presented a draft Water Officials brochure, we had completed the first Policy and Planning Committee meeting in Salida, and the State Engineer, Hal Simpson gave his support of the association by letting us carpool in state vehicles to the annual meeting.

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1995       

The annual meeting was held in Alamosa. We had continuing amendment to the by-laws and I (unknown) was elected President. 

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1996       

Crested Butte - Origination of work on the CWOA Video, a Logo contest, presentation of a study by me on mileage reimbursement comparative costs with private sector and testimony to the legislature for SB 06-173 for mileage reimbursement increase. 

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1997 

Grand Junction - Attempt to get a quarterly newsletter started and approval of a CWOA internet homepage

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1998       

Steamboat Springs - Introduction of membership packets, statewide participation in Division of Local Government workshops in 6 Divisions, for managers, operators and elected public officials. 

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1999       

Durango - State Engineer begins recognizing Water Commissioner of the Year recipients from each division at the CWOA annual meeting instead of the Annual Engineer Meeting in Denver, CWOA Poster and Travel Boards progress, and the idea of scholarship funding for division chapters. 

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2000       

Lakewood - By-law changes, concept for Agency reference book published by CWOA for public and other agencies to use for cross reference on water questions. 

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2001       

Estes Park - CWCB invited to join as members of Denver Chapter, initiation of State CWOA savings account monies into CD's, new upgraded version of the video, and the Greeley Farm Show participation.

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2002       

Pueblo - The Drought - generating 80-90 new water bills in the legislature (more work for everybody), the origin of the Water Rodeo and every year since, presentation of the "Official" CWOA logo as it exists today and a revised and improved CWOA brochure.

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2003       

South Fork/Beaver Creek - presentation of new CWOA Video at the Colorado State Fair and manning of booths, and testimony and information for Hal's Core Mission Project. 

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2004       

Gunnison - House Joint Resolution 01-1014 in recognition of the 125th Anniversary of the creation of the position of Water Commissioner 1879-2004. We join the Colorado foundation for Water Education, discussion on appropriate use of DWR training funds for CWOA, and tax-exempt status for all chapters. 

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2005       

Glenwood Springs - Largest CWOA membership since reorganization - 159 members, by-law revision, participation in CFWE "Water Educators Conference".

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2006       

Steamboat Springs - Legislator Packet distribution

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2007       

Durango - Dick Wolfe new State Engineer, Hal Simpson's retirement gifts, a custom fly rod, DWR statewide fishing guide, discussion on joining other water affiliated organizations Water commissioner Manual update, and we sponsored a member to CFWE's Colorado Water Leaders Course (Scott Hummer).

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2008       

REI Flagship/Denver - Water Commissioner of the Year reimbursement by DWR to attend the annual meeting, CWOA Website upgrade, by-law revision, increase in DWR monetary support for CWOA annual meeting. 

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2009       

Loveland - CWOA DVD, Division 1 Ditch and Reservoir Operators workshop, tax-exempt status discussion and the 1st year of the combined CWOA annual and SEO Forum.

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2010       

Salida - by-law revision, mileage rate increase from legislature but no increase to DWR budget for funding, future of CWOA discussion. 

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2011-16 

Unknown locations and discussions (to be updated when information is available)

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2017       

Estes Park - Dick Wolfe's retirement gifts, tax-exempt status, reimbursement by DWR to attend the annual meeting and mining in Division One presentation

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