Here in Colorado, where the stunning Rockies meet the realities of water scarcity, there’s a unique opportunity to spark meaningful discussions and take action. Do you often hear discussions about water conservation or ways to engage in water policy? Have you noticed how initiating conversations about water conservation and environmental policies can feel challenging? This absence of engagement is often because people need a clearer connection or guidance on how to get involved. The good news? We can change how we have these talks—and invite more people in. My research explores how reframing the conversation around conservation can increase community participation. Here’s what I’ve found and how it can apply right here in Colorado.
Making Conservation Accessible for Everyone
When I first interviewed people about water conservation, I heard a recurring theme. Many felt that conservation resources and water policy discussions were too technical, distant, or irrelevant to their daily lives. It felt easier for many residents around Denver and across the Front Range to tune it all out. And honestly, who hasn’t felt that way at one point or another?
But here’s the hopeful part. Recognizing this disconnect is the first step in fixing it. I began focusing on ways to make the material more approachable and aligned with the realities people face daily. When information is presented in clear and relatable ways – tied to real-world challenges and relatable contexts—people go from feeling frustrated or disengaged to understanding and feeling empowered to act.
Water is a Local Story
Another discovery during my research was how many people saw water scarcity as “someone else’s problem.” Droughts? Aren’t those things that happen far away in California or developing countries?
But we know that water issues are very much our problem here in Colorado. From the Colorado River Compact to efforts to conserve urban water supplies, our communities depend on us to protect this vital resource for future generations.
By reframing the discussion locally—focusing on how water shortages impact our homes, parks, neighborhoods, and livelihoods—I saw people begin to connect. They started understanding why their actions mattered and could see the relevance of water conservation in their everyday lives. Many became eager to do their part once they saw a connection between their well-being and the community they love.
For locals, the lesson is clear. Conversations about water conservation need to start with how it affects us here: our mountain streams, urban green spaces, and family faucets. When the story is local, people listen.
Turning Apathy into Action
One of the most surprising aspects of my study was that people didn’t lack empathy—they lacked clarity. Many felt powerless because water policies seemed overly complicated or far removed from what they could influence. Clearly, they cared, but they didn’t know how to act in an impactful way. Here’s an example. When we ask Denver residents to conserve water, the message often ends there—“Use less water.” But what if we emphasize specific, actionable steps? Fixing leaks, switching to drought-tolerant landscaping, or installing water-saving fixtures suddenly makes conservation achievable. Just as importantly, these actions remind people that their efforts accumulate into meaningful change.
Building a More Engaged Community
One thing has become crystal clear through my time researching local engagement and environmental sociology. People want to be heard and valued. Simple, relatable resources delivered with clarity and empathy can radically reshape how they see their role in conservation efforts. For example, think of all the water education tools we already use in Denver—whether at schools, in public parks, or through local campaigns like sustainable gardening workshops. If we connect these tools to shared goals and community pride, we have an opportunity to inspire participation on every level. These insights have already inspired successful campaigns to encourage civic participation and collaborative action. And I believe they can do even more—driving meaningful change for Colorado’s future.
Proud Colorado Roots in Research
This fall, I was privileged to receive the Top Scholar/Research Scholarship Award from the College of Liberal Arts from Colorado State University’s Graduate Student Showcase for this research. The award was a reminder of the importance of interdisciplinary work—combining facts, empathy, and connection to ignite movements grounded in understanding.
Your Next Steps in Conservation
Whether you’re a student, policy advocate, or local business owner, you have the power to make a difference. Change starts with small reframes—breaking conservation down into actions that make sense to us and our neighbors. We create something powerful when we connect the dots between individual efforts, community priorities, and sustainable futures.
Jackie Fetter is a MPPA student at Colorado State University and a researcher with interdisciplinary expertise in environmental sociology, public policy, and political science. Her work examines the intersections of human perception, resource management, and civic engagement. This is her original research.
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