Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer Initiative
In 2022, the CCBWQA joined around 25 other entities in the Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer Initiative through Colorado WaterWise #LiveLikeYouLoveIt. The goal of the program is to keep phosphorus from getting into our lakes and streams by using phosphorus-free lawn fertilizers. (Additionally, several local governments are actively involved in reducing non-functional turf areas, thereby reducing overall fertilizer and water usage.) In 2024, additional public outreach materials were developed to continue to help spread the word!
How we implement public education
Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners
CCBWQA is responsible for developing and implementing a public information and education program, which it fulfills by partially funding and utilizing the service of the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners (Partners).
The Partners promote awareness of the value and function of the many pollution abatement projects that have been constructed in the Cherry Creek Basin with funding from the CCBWQA and their valuable partners: Mile High Flood District, Arapahoe and Douglas County Open Space Programs, the Cities and Towns of Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Denver, Lone Tree, Parker, Parker Jordan Metropolitan District, Colorado State Parks and Great Outdoors Colorado. Activities include outings, sponsorship of the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair, stormwater outreach, and the Annual Cherry Creek Watershed Conference.
2024 Outings
Each year the Cherry Creek Stewardship Partners lead excursions along Cherry Creek where interested local residents can see their tax dollars at work. The late January Hawk Walk on Cottonwood Creek is an annual event where Cherry Creek State Park staff, bird fans and ‘friends of Cherry Creek’ gather to walk the length of Cottonwood Creek for an opportunity to evaluate project benefits, learn about pollution reduction facilities and engage the community. A pond on Lone Tree Creek is a major attraction for waterfowl, especially during the colder months when many ponds are frozen. The pond is a popular spot for birds and birdwatchers. The Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority technical team sought input from the community regarding management priorities on Lone Tree Creek..
Annual Solstice and Equinox hikes at the Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park add extra sets of eyes to observe and report on changing conditions in the watershed. Considerable beaver activity was noted at various locations. The Partners helped residents engage with land use agencies and build an understanding of ‘tolerable adaptation,’ which is a term that refers to land managers’ use of a common framework to assess beaver activity to determine when they can take a ‘hands off’ approach and when it is necessary to intervene and disrupt the beaver’s busy routine.
Cherry Creek Watershed Conference
The 2024 Cherry Creek Watershed Conference was held in November 2024 at the Parker Events Center. The theme was Ways of Knowing - The Data-Information- Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) Pyramid. Speakers explored topics which included: results from the Cherry Creek Reservoir monitoring program for Water Year 2024, planning for the future, designing for resilience and nature-based solutions, Cyanobacteria monitoring and response as well as presentations from members of the community specifically related to education and public outreach.
'Usie' of the 2024 Conference Attendees
More information about the educational activities can be found in the links below.