President’s Reception
Best of the best in Colorado water
Each year, Water Education Colorado invites friends and colleagues to our President’s Reception — an evening of celebration, networking and awards as we honor water leadership and raise money for our work at one of the best water events of the year.
Thank you for everyone who supported and attended the 2024 President’s Reception on September 5, 2024 at Balistreri Vineyards in Denver. Stay tuned for an announcement with the date of next year’s Reception.
WEco awards and past recipients
Diane Hoppe Leadership Award (formerly the President’s Award)
Water Education Colorado bestows an important annual award on a Coloradan who has a body of work in the field of water resources benefiting the Colorado public; strong reputation among peers; commitment to balanced and accurate information; among other qualities.
What started in 2007 as WEco’s President’s Award was renamed the Diane Hoppe Leadership Award in 2016 to recognize the legacy of this Colorado water visionary. Winners have included:
2024: Doug Kemper
2023: Anne Castle
2022: Justice Gregory Hobbs (posthumously)
2021: Michael Preston
2021: John Porter (posthumously)
2020: John Stulp
2019: Jennifer Pitt
2018: Tom Cech
2017: Eric Kuhn
2016: Gov. John Hickenlooper
2015: Jim Lochhead
2014: Alan Hamel
2013: Jim Isgar
2012: Diane Hoppe and Lewis Entz
2011: Nolan Doesken
2010: Russ George
2009: Dick Bratton
2008: Ken and Ruth Wright
2007: John Fetcher
Greg Hobbs Next Wave Leadership Award (formerly the Emerging Leader Award)
In 2010, Water Education Colorado introduced the Emerging Leader Award to honor recent work by a young Colorado professional to strengthen and improve water education in the state. In 2024, Water Education Colorado renamed this award as the Greg Hobbs Next Waver Leadership Award to honor the legacy of this former Colorado Supreme Court Justice and long-time Vice President and Publications Chair of Water Education Colorado. Winners have included:
2024: Lorelei Cloud
2023: Russ Sands
2022: Sonja Chavez
2021: Kelly Romero-Heaney
2020: Paul Bruchez
2019: Celene Hawkins
2018: Joe Frank
2017: Drew Beckwith
2016: Heather Dutton
2015: Greg Kernohan
2014: Sean Cronin
2013: Amy Beatie
2011: Hannah Holm
2010: Eric Hecox