At the Reiter Family Foundation, we believe in meaningful philanthropic investment in the central pillars of our communities. Throughout the past couple years, we have been in a phase of exploration and development, working to discover and refine our focus areas. Through this season, we have honed in on environment and conservation as one of our designated areas of impact, as it is incredibly important to us that we help to protect and conserve the natural beauty and resources in our amazing state.
In Colorado especially, water is at the heart of conservation. Access, protection, cleanliness, and preservation of water are the foundation upon which all other environmental efforts depend. Without healthy waterways, the ecosystems, wildlife, and communities that rely on them simply cannot thrive. This understanding led us to Colorado Water Trust. Their simple focus on water drew us in, and their expansive impact on nearly thirty waterways and over 80,000 acres throughout our state solidified our support.
CWT’s approach is both innovative and impactful, using creative applications of water law alongside strategic buying and leasing of water rights for environmental purposes. Through these efforts, they have been able to fully restore miles and miles of stream, helping to protect critical habitats and sustain communities across the state.
When it came time to select grantees at our first board meeting in February of this year, Colorado Water Trust was an easy yes. We believe strongly in their mission and in their far-reaching impact; it truly seemed to us that no corner of the state was left unimpacted by the restorative work of their organization. We are proud that our partnership and investment this year has helped to continue and bolster CWT’s work on the Cache la Poudre River in Larimer County and the Fraser River in Grand County. Both of these projects are benefitting communities we care about and rivers that we personally love. Additionally, both seem to be innovative and sustainable project models that will both integrate and benefit numerous stakeholders. We feel completely confident that our investment in these waterways will have lasting impacts on the environment as well as local residents.
We are honored to stand alongside Colorado Water Trust as they continue their mighty restoration and conservation efforts with our Colorado waterways. Together, we look forward to many more miles of rivers protected, restored, and thriving, for today, for tomorrow, and for generations ahead.
Kendra Appleton
Executive Director
Reiter Family Foundation