Stormwater Permittees for Local Awareness of Stream Health (SPLASH)
In 2025, SEMSWA continued to participate as a member in SPLASH. The goal is to educate the public on simple ways to reduce stormwater pollution and its impact on local bodies of water.
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.
Regional and Interagency Coordination
CCBWQA representatives participated in ongoing monthly meetings of the Metro and South Platte Basin Roundtables, supporting Colorado Water Plan outreach and Interbasin Compact Committee education initiatives. Engagement with long-term partners included collaboration with Cherry Creek State Park, Arapahoe County Open Space, SEMSWA, Parker Jordan Metro District, CSU-affiliated programs, and other regional organizations to promote water quality stewardship and nutrient management messaging.
Youth Education and Workforce Development
Educational programming reached multiple age groups in 2025:
- Presented the Project WET “Incredible Journey” water cycle activity to approximately 120 fifth-grade students at the Aurora Water Festival.
- Coordinated and co-hosted a full-day field experience for 115 seventh-grade students at Cherry Creek State Park, focusing on water quality, watershed processes, and habitat observations.
- Assisted with a two-day Water Education Exemplar Workshop supporting development of water education expertise among young professionals (ages 18–24).
- Reviewed and evaluated student research projects for the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair, supporting water-focused science recognition awards.
These efforts support long-term watershed literacy and cultivate future water resource professionals. On June 10 and 11, 2025, the Partners helped coordinate and present at the Water Education Exemplar Workshop, a two‑day program empowering young adults aged 18–24 to build leadership skills in watershed stewardship. Exemplars, several of whom have also spoken at the Cherry Creek Watershed Conference, shared their experiences to inspire the next generation of water leaders.
Community Events and Public Engagement
Stewardship Partners maintained a visible presence at numerous public events to communicate watershed health and nutrient management concepts, including:
- Lake Appreciation Day (water quality testing demonstrations and handouts)
- SEMSWA Race for the Watershed
- Gardening with Nature / Wild Ones plant workshop
- Cherry Creek Watershed Annual Conference (27th Annual)
- Seasonal ecological park events and habitat observation hikes
Messaging emphasized nutrient reduction, stream reclamation benefits, aquatic habitat function, and reservoir water quality protection.
Habitat Observation and Watershed Awareness
Multiple events incorporated direct field observation of watershed conditions, including monitoring of beaver activity, sediment deposition following flooding, and wildlife use of aquatic habitats. These observations provide informal but valuable opportunities to communicate the connections between watershed processes, stream restoration, and downstream reservoir water quality.
For over 20 years, the Partners have helped host the Denver Urban Bird Count, contributing to an annual community science tradition that has been active for more than 80 years. On January 1, 2025, several participants attended the annual event to strengthen long‑term partner relationships and share messaging about the water‑quality benefits of stream reclamation.
Public Communication Initiatives
Cherry Creek Watershed Conference
The 2025 Cherry Creek Watershed Conference was held in September at the Parker Arts, Culture, and Events Center. The theme was “Building Community.” Speakers explored topics which included: the state of the watershed, Watershed Plan updates, planning for the future, advancing phosphorus control in Colorado, as well as presentations from members of the community specifically related to education and public outreach.
More information about the educational activities can be found in the links below.