Summary
Organization name
Grand County Learning By Doing
other names
LBD
2019
Tax id (EIN)
30-1176284
Category
Environment
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
PO BOX 264Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451
Grand County, CO, US
Grand County Learning By Doing
A nonprofit organization
$125 raised by 2 donors
1% complete
$10,000 Goal
About
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Learning By Doing (LBD) is a cooperative effort of water stakeholders from both sides of the Continental Divide whose goal is to maintain, and, where possible, restore or enhance the aquatic environment of the Upper Colorado, Fraser and Williams Fork River basins.
Our group of stakeholders emerged from Inter-Governmental Agreements intended to address impacts from two water diversion projects that affect rivers in Grand County: Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir Expansion Project and Northern Water Subdistrict’s Windy Gap Firming Project. The Learning By Doing partners have an interest in protecting Grand County’s aquatic habitat, while also respecting the interests and legal responsibilities of each partner organization.
Stand out events from 2025:
- Invested $88,485 in ongoing monitoring. View 2025 Aquatic Resource Monitoring Plan by clicking here.
- Continued work on Phase 2 of the update to the Grand County Stream Management Plan (GC SMP). The original GC SMP was the first in the state and was crafted in 2010. The update is anticipated to be complete in 2027 with a purpose to provide a roadmap for maintaining a healthy and resilient stream system within the Cooperative Effort Area in Grand County, Colorado by protecting, monitoring, and restoring aquatic habitat while supporting local water uses and retaining flexibility for future water operations.
- Engaged the community: published quarterly e-newsletters, hosted four GC SMP Stakeholder Advisory Committee meetings in the final phase of the GC SMP update. Attended community events in Winter Park (Earth Day Celebration) and Granby (Conservation Celebration).
- Coordinated water operations between Front Range water diverters and west slope interests to optimize conditions for aquatic life, recreation, and agriculture on the western slope.
- Received funding for construction stream improvement projects at Kaibab Park in Granby and Willow Creek with construction planned in 2026 and 2027.
- Supported a project on the Colorado River below Granby Dam with Windy Gap Carriage Contract funds.
Mission
The overarching goal for the Grand County Learning By Doing Cooperative Effort (LBD) is to maintain, and where reasonably possible, restore or enhance the aquatic environment in the Fraser, Williams Fork, and Colorado River basins and their tributaries in Grand County, Colorado.
Background Statement
The Upper Colorado River system and the Fraser and Williams Fork rivers serve as critical municipal, agricultural, recreational, and industrial water supply sources for the state of Colorado, and provide important aquatic habitat. LBD entities will not seek a culprit for changes in the condition of the rivers and streams, but will provide a system to identify issues of concern and focus available resources to address those issues.
The commitment from the individual parties to cooperate will benefit the environment, Grand County, the West Slope, and Colorado.
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Organization Data
Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451