To get the latest information on SWEAP, please visit the new SWEAP website at cowateredplan.org.

Go to the SWEAP website now

Statewide Water Education Action Plan

A Common Agenda for Water Education’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Water for Colorado by 2050

What is the Statewide Water Education Action Plan?

The Statewide Water Education Action Plan (SWEAP) is a guide for Colorado water educators working individually and collectively to realize a set of shared outcomes that align with the “Outreach, Education and Public Engagement” goals set forth in the Colorado Water Plan. Those goals focus on ensuring Coloradans have access to accurate information and are empowered to participate in stakeholder decision-making processes.

Water education is one of eight comprehensive aspects of the Colorado Water Plan to ensure a sustainable water supply for Colorado’s growing population by 2050 in a way that respects and preserves the state’s diverse values.

SWEAP does not mandate local actions, rather addresses obstacles to a coordinated, more consistently defined approach that results in progress on a statewide level.

For more information, click on the Executive Summary or Full Plan below. Water Education Colorado will be working to develop a more robust website for SWEAP coordination in coming months. To contact Water Education Colorado with questions about SWEAP, email sweap@wateredco.org or call (303) 377-4433.

Download SWEAP - Executive Summary

Download Critical Water Concepts

Download SWEAP - Full Plan

Photos: Water Education in Action

Youth Water Leadership Program

Youth Water Leadership Program. For more information visit www.wildroseeducation.com. Credit: Sarah R. Johnson.

Yampatika Water Education Program

Yampatika water education programming. Courtesy of: Yampatika.

Yampatika Water Education Program

Yampatika water education programming. Courtesy of: Yampatika.

Youth Water Leadership Program (Roaring Fork Watershed)

Youth Water Leadership Program (Roaring Fork Watershed) in 2019. www.wildroseeducation.com. Credit: Sarah R. Johnson.

Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute storm drain marking

Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute (Denver enrichment program for girls of color) (July 17, 2017; photo by Amy Conklin) – High school students from the Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute participate in a storm drain-marking project in their neighborhood. Students used a newly developed app to find drains, adhere a new badge if needed, and upload photos and coordinates for the City and County of Denver. The badges read “No Dumping: Drains to River.” Credit: Amy Conklin.

Aurora Water Forests to Faucets Teacher Workshop

Aurora Water Forests to Faucets Teacher Workshop 2019. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors, 2019-Field Group at 10 Mile Creek. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative

Students participate in an activity with the Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative and USFS Credit: Heather Dutton

Boulder Water Festival

City of Boulder Operation Water Festival . Credit: Laurel Olsen.

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors, 2019 – Kick Net in River. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Aurora Water Festival

Aurora Water Fesitval Water Meter. Credit: GregBaker.

Storm Drain Marking

Students celebrate after marking a storm drain. Credit: Donny Roush.

Yampatika Water Education Program

Yampatika water education programming. Courtesy of: Yampatika.

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative

Credit: Bethany Howell.

Yampa River ReTree Project

Yampa River ReTree Project. Credit: Carolina Manriguez.

Aurora Water Festival

Aurora Water Festival Bubble Tower. Credit: Greg Baker.

Youth Water Leadership Program

Youth Water Leadership Program (Roaring Fork Watershed) in 2019. www.wildroseeducation.com. Credit: Andrea Holland.

Aurora Water Water Heroes 1st Grade Presentation

Aurora Water Water Heroes 1st Grade Presentation- Viviana Zavala. Credit: Aurora Water.

Colorado Springs Utilities Cloud Cannon at Patriot ES Eco Fair

Birgit Landin of Colorado Springs Utilities “shoots” clouds into the school assembly called Water Wonders. In the assembly, students learn about where their water comes from, the amount of precipitation we get, and the ways to conserve water. Credit: Colorado Springs Utilities.

Expeditionary Learning Activity

Students participating in an activity adapted from an Expeditionary Learning initiative called Toxic Waste. Credit: Donny Roush

Aurora Water Water in the Ol West

Aurora Water Water in the Ol West. Credit: Monica Self.

Aurora Water at the Aurora Public Schools Career Fair

Aurora Water at the Aurora Public Schools Career Fair. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative

Credit: Bethany Howell.

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors

Aurora Water H2O Outdoors, 2019 -Creating a Watershed. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative

Credit: Bethany Howell.

Aurora Water’s Aurora Reservoir Field Trip

Aurora Water’s Aurora Reservoir Field Trip. Credit: Natalie Brower-Kirton.

Centennial 3rd grade learns about One Water (South Platte)

Centennial (South Platte River) (March 14, 2017; photo by Erin Abner) – To introduce a unit “Fresh Water around the World,” 3rd graders from Centennial – A School for Expeditionary Learning conducted field work to Berkeley Lake, a Denver park within walking distance of their school. Donny Roush, an environmental educator for Denver Public Works, introduced students to the One Water concept – “All the water that ever was, or ever will be, is already here on Earth.” Credit: Erin Abner.

“Celebration of Learning,” 7th grade students at Annunciation Catholic School

Annunciation (South Platte River) (March 17, 2016; photo by Erika Rodriguez) – As part of their public-invited “Celebration of Learning,” 7th grade students at Annunciation Catholic School (Denver, CO) present about their learning around river ecology, river health in the city, and stormwater impact mitigation. Credit: Erika Rodriguez.

Aurora Water Youth Water Festival Wall of Water

Aurora Water Youth Water Festival Wall of Water. Credit: Aurora Water.

H2O Outdoors Camp

Students at work at the H2O Outdoors Camp at Keystone Science School. The camp is supported by the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Aurora Water and Denver Water. Credit: Andrew Kenney

Western Rivers Teacher Workshops (Gunnison River Watershed)

Western Rivers Teacher Workshops – River Ecology (Gunnison River Watershed). For more information visit www.wildroseeducation.com. Credit: Beth Hall.

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative

Rio Grande Water Conservation & Education Initiative Credit: Bethany Howell.

Tollgate students sample South Platte River

Tollgate (South Platte River) (March 16, 2016; photo by Donny Roush) – Third graders from Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning (Aurora, CO) collect a macroinvertebrate sample from Tollgate Creek, which is adjacent to their school campus. This was the first field work for a 2-month unit, “Is Tollgate Creek Healthy?” Credit: Donny Roush.