2025 Water Leaders Application Information Page

2025 Water Leaders Program Application Information Page

Applications for the 2025 program are now open!

Program Highlights

• With just 20 class participants, form a tight-knit group of trusted peer advisors
• Receive extensive training in communicating effectively, navigating conflict and diversity, managing self and others, and building effective teams
• Experience individual growth through self-assessment, executive coaching, and peer workshopping
• Gain the opportunity to step back and define your leadership style, assess your priorities, and design a path toward the leadership legacy you want to have in Colorado water
• Build and begin to test your own personal development plan with support from your coach
• Plus learn from and connect with the greater network of water professionals in Colorado through Leaders Unplugged sessions and paired mentorships with seasoned water leaders working in diverse fields

Check out the program FAQ sheet for answers to frequently asked questions.

2025 Program Schedule (Attendance at all program sessions is mandatory.)

In-Person Training Sessions (Full Days)

April 24-25: Session One, Silverthorne
June 26-27: Session Two, Redstone
Aug. 28-29: Session Three, Salida
Oct. 23-24: Session Four, Denver

Virtual Training Sessions (Two-Hour Sessions)

May 15: Virtual Session One
July 24: Virtual Session Two
Sept. 25: Virtual Session Three

Admissions Process

Program admission is based upon competitive criteria in order to maximize the impact of the program, provide the best possible experience for each participant, and ensure program diversity. Our Water Leaders admissions committee reviews and selects participants through a multi-step scoring process that considers criteria such as demonstrated commitment to Colorado water, leadership potential, program readiness, and geographic and professional diversity.

Please note that while more than one applicant from the same organization may apply, only one participant per employer will be admitted in the same year. There are no organizations who maintain a designated seat for one of their employees in the class. Rather, all applicants are considered on their own merits. Employer recommendations are, however, taken into account when more than one applicant from the same organization submits.

The application deadline is January 29, 2025.

Access the online application form here.

Please note that you may have trouble saving your answers or returning to past answers while completing the online application in Survey Monkey. We strongly recommend that you download the application questions here and prepare your answers offline prior to completing your application.

Within your application you are required to upload two letters of recommendation.

If your employer or a sponsoring organization will be paying for all or a portion of your tuition, then you will also need to upload a Tuition Payment Letter of Intent to demonstrate their commitment to supporting your tuition financially. If you are personally paying for the full tuition then you do not need to upload this letter.

Minimum Requirements to Apply

Proven Past Commitment: The Water Leaders Program is designed for individuals who have already begun to establish themselves in the water profession. Applicants should have at least three years of work experience in a water-related field within Colorado, but there is no upper-year limit. Water Leaders will benefit professionals who have spent any duration working in the water profession beyond three years.

Proven Future Commitment: Applicants should identify a desire to continue their work in the water profession and demonstrate a commitment to help grow and advance the water sector in Colorado by providing leadership and expertise.

Proven “Sphere of Influence:” WEco defines Sphere of Influence as an individual’s ability to impact the water sector in Colorado either by managing staff/projects/programs, working closely with a network of external partners outside of your organization, working to influence high-level decision makers, or other job-related connections that elevate your voice in the water sector.

Colorado Focused: Applicants should be Colorado residents who work primarily in Colorado.

Full Engagement: Participants must be ready to engage deeply in the Water Leaders process including by honestly answering self-assessments, accepting critical feedback from class participants and peer networks, investing time in personal reflection, and being willing to adapt and change personal and professional interactions to become a more efficient and effective leader.

100% Commitment: Participants are expected to be fully invested in the program through attendance at all training sessions and inter-session check-ins, participation in all coaching and cohort calls/meetings, and completion of all assessments and homework assignments.

Tuition

Tuition for the 2025 Water Leaders Program is $4,975. Tuition covers four two-day training sessions, three virtual class meetings, numerous self-assessments, four hours of one-on-one executive coaching sessions, small group peer coaching, a customized mentorship experience, exclusive guest speakers, individual guidance from WEco staff, all program materials, and detailed program coordination. Tuition also covers all meals during the four in-person training sessions.

Travel

Participants will be responsible for the additional costs of lodging and transportation during the program. WEco will organize group discounts at a single hotel for each session. Staying in the group hotel is not required, but highly recommended to facilitate informal relationship building. Please budget for two nights of hotel stays per session for around $175 per night.

Scholarships

To help ensure cost does not become a barrier to participation in the Water Leaders, a limited number of partial scholarships are available. These are awarded based on both need and merit. You must complete the 200-word statement on the Financial Obligation section of the Water Leaders application to be considered for a scholarship.

Please email Sabrina Scherma with questions about the Water Leaders Program. If you are interested in speaking to a Water Leaders Program graduate about their experience, please look through our alumni page.