Why leave a legacy to Colorado Water Trust?

Colorado is deeply connected to our rivers. They sustain us and all the life that surrounds us.

Our rivers are where we spend time making memories with our friends and family. They’re where we take breaks to reflect while listening to the sounds of nature. We are bound to their health. When they flow strong, our ecosystems flourish and our economies thrive. When they run dry, it impacts us all.

With some planning, you can leave your mark on Colorado’s rivers and the livelihoods of our people for years to come. We welcome you to join our Forever Flows Society, and be part of a lasting legacy for Colorado’s future.

Tell Us About Your Plans
Human lifetimes are limited. The value and beauty of healthy streams are forever. Please leave a legacy to help protect them even after you are gone.
Michael Browning
Colorado Water Trust founder and former Board Member, founding partner of Porzak Browning & Bushong LLP
green river

Forever Flows Society Membership Benefits

By becoming a member of our Forever Flows Society, you ensure that we continue to find solutions that help our people and rivers thrive, and you will also become a member of a caring community of river lovers. You will be invited to:

  • Be listed as a Forever Flows Society member on our website, digital annual report, and some printed materials (if you wish).
  • Attend an annual Forever Flows Society dinner hosted by our Executive Director and the Chair of our Board of Directors.
  • Receive regular updates about our work at Colorado Water Trust, our organizational strategies, and projects/regions of your interest.

Your Options for Impact

One of the simplest ways to make a gift to Colorado Water Trust is by leaving a gift in your will. There are three options to consider while planning your legacy gift at Colorado Water Trust:

1) Support Colorado Water Trust’s most pressing needs: Give to Colorado Water Trust in a valuable and meaningful way by directing your donation to whatever needs are greatest at the time.

2) Seed an Endowment: Help Colorado Water Trust seed an endowment fund that would support our work across Colorado indefinitely. We are seeking 10 legacy gifts of $25,000 or more. We will place the legacy gifts in a reserve fund upon their receipt through the years, until the $250,000 goal is reached.

3) Adopt a River(s): Colorado Water Trust works in a variety of places across the state, from some of our mightiest rivers to some of our smallest tributaries. If you have a favorite river or region of the state that you want your legacy to be committed to, we will do our very best to honor that.

Water has been so important to the people of Colorado, and something I’ve dedicated my professional career to. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to continue to support something in perpetuity that has been so important to me throughout my life!
Anonymous
Colorado Water Trust Board Member

How It Works

Supporting Colorado Water Trust with a legacy gift is simple and straightforward. In order to be sure the IRS recognizes the gift, the following steps should be followed:

  1. Make sure you have an up-to-date will (or living trust) that reflects your charitable objectives.
  2. Contact your financial advisor (a financial planner, lawyer, or accountant) and ask for help in establishing a charitable gift to Colorado Water Trust.
  3. Think beyond bequests or cash gifts–you can also leave water rights, life insurance policies, or stocks. You can also discuss other options with Colorado Water Trust.
  4. Contact Colorado Water Trust to confirm your plans and become a valuable member of our Forever Flows Society.

Sample Language

“I, _____, give and bequeath to Colorado Water Trust, Inc., a Colorado nonprofit organization, Tax ID #84-1606567, at 1312 17th Street #766, Denver, CO 80202, the sum of $_____” (or list stock gift, life insurance policy, water rights, etc.) to be used for; purposes to be determined by Colorado Water Trust, seeding an endowment fund, (OR) the stewardship of _____ River (or rivers in preferred region of Colorado).

Types of Gifts We Accept

Bequests | Water Rights | Life Insurance | Stock

Not limited to these options, but please contact Colorado Water Trust with your plans.

dana hatelid

Get In Touch

Dana Hatlelid
dhatlelid@coloradowatertrust.org
720.570.2897

Tell Us About Your Plans