Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Members

Jim Ives represents public interest groups. He currently is a board member and youth education director of the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Jim is a board-certified environmental professional. He has retired after a broad, diversified management and technical career in environmental management and governmental relations spanning more than 37 years. He spent a major portion of his career with the Atlantic Richfield Company in Colorado and Alaska dealing with the environmental aspects of energy and mineral resources development and production. He also served a short time as the executive director of the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Association. More recently, he managed the environmental programs for the city of Aurora and served as project manager for the early transfer and environmental restoration project at the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. Jim has also worked as an environmental consultant and with federal and state environmental agencies. His current civic activities include serving as a volunteer naturalist for Roxborough State Park and volunteering at a local food pantry. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Jim and his wife have lived in Centennial since 1994.
– Appointment January 2012 to December 2014, second term

Don Schlup represents suburban customers. Don is founder and owner of ScienTurfic Sod. As a sod producer for more than forty years, he recognizes how critical water management is in the production and maintenance of his crop. As a contractor installing thousands of lawns in the Denver metro area, Don also is aware of homeowners’concerns with water management of their trees, shrubs and grass. He understands the importance of conservation and control of water consumption while maintaining landscape investment. During the drought, Don worked with the Denver and Aurora water boards, South Adams Water, GreenCO and Rocky Mountain Sod Growers seeking solutions for contractors, consumers and water providers. It was a critical time for all, but by working together through improved communication and education, solutions were found. Don is a former Denver teacher with a B.S. and M.A. in biology from Central Missouri University and is a resident of Greenwood Village.
– Appointment January 2013 to December 2015, second term

Barry Hudson represents suburban distributors. Since 2007, Barry has been the manager of the Wheat Ridge Water District, a suburban distributor on the west border of Denver. He graduated from the University of Colorado Law School. He is a practicing lawyer who specializes in utility matters and represents special districts, including High View Water and Daniels Sanitation. Barry has practiced law in Wheat Ridge with a utility specialization since 1974. His clients include the Wheat Ridge Water District, Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District and the Wheat Ridge Sanitation District. Barry also is president of the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club.
– Appointment January 2012 to December 2014, second term

Jeff Willis represents the Homebuilders Association of Metro Denver. Jeff has more than 15 years of experience in the homebuilding and real estate development industries. Jeff is a past president of the Homebuilders Association, as well as the former chair of the Denver International Airport Partnership. He also is a former board member of the Centennial Water and Sanitation District and has been involved in several large water projects. Jeff currently works for Berkeley Homes and is a partner in Talavera Properties and Neighborhood Partners LLC. He received an economics degree from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University. Jeff and his family are residents of the City and County of Denver.
– Appointment January 2011 to December 2013, second term

Bruce Hutchins has lived in Grand County since 1977 and represents Western Slope Residents (Summit, Grand, and Eagle counties). He is the manager of Grand County Water and Sanitation District No.1, where he has been employed since 1984. Bruce serves as the chairman of Grand County Mutual Ditch and Reservoir Company, vice chairman of East Grand Water Quality Board, manager of Clinton Water Users of Fraser River Valley, community representative for Grand County at the Colorado River Basin Roundtable, and member of the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Quantity and Quality Committee. He is also a member of the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Watershed Assembly, Colorado Rural Water Association, Colorado Waste Water Utility Council, Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association,  American Water Works Association, Club 20, American Backflow Prevention Association, Grand County Water Information Network, and the Special District Association of Colorado.
– Appointment January 2011 to December 2013, first term

Melvin Rettig, a farmer on Orchard Mesa near Grand Junction, represents Western Slope residents (Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties). Melvin has spent his life at the fruit and vegetable farm he currently operates. He attended Colorado State University and earned a degree in agricultural engineering specializing in irrigation and drainage. He is a current or former member of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Mesa County Farm Bureau, Mesa Conservation District, Colorado State Conservation Board, noxious weed advisory committees for Colorado and Mesa counties, Colorado Farm Bureau Water Committee, Colorado Ag Water Alliance Committee, Colorado Basin Round Table and the Ute Water Conservancy District. While a member of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Melvin was involved in negotiations in water court concerning Wolford Mountain Reservoir and the Orchard Mesa Check Structure.
– Appointment January 2011 to December 2013, second term

Jeffrey Erb represents Denver residents. He is an attorney with Seter & Vander Wall, P.C., where he serves as general and litigation counsel to local governments and real estate developers throughout the state of Colorado. Mr. Erb advises his clients regarding the many issues related to providing a secure, consistent and clean water supply. In this capacity and as a longtime recreational user of Colorado’s rivers and lakes, Mr. Erb brings an understanding of the varied issues affecting the environment, water supply and water consumption in Colorado and for Denver Water customers. Mr. Erb has been a presenter for the Special District Association’s annual conference, serves on the Special District Association’s legislative committee, and has written articles for the Special District Association newsletter. He received his law degree from the University of Denver and his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
– Appointment April 2012 to December 2014

Bethany Gravell represents Denver residents. Bethany is the development director for Colorado Conservation Trust, a nonprofit organization that creates and funds statewide land conservation programs. Prior to joining the Colorado Conservation Trust, she was executive director of Rocky Mountain Wild, an organization responsible for protecting 1.7 million acres of wildlife habitat in the Rockies. Bethany also served as an account executive with CRL Associates, where she helped secure voter approval for a $65 million bond package to restore and expand the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. She managed the successful campaign of Denver City Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann and served as the councilwoman’s aide, addressing constituent needs in her southeast Denver district. Bethany earned an undergraduate degree from Providence College in Rhode Island and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Colorado. She was awarded the 5281 Award from Mayor John Hickenlooper for outstanding service and dedication to Denver.

– Appointment January 2013 to December 2015, first term

Peter Mueller represents environmental groups. Peter has worked at The Nature Conservancy in western Colorado for five years, and has focused much of his work on protecting the Dolores River. Before joining The Nature Conservancy, Peter was a teacher, principal and director of middle and high schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in government and a master’s in school leadership. Peter currently serves as chairman of the San Miguel County Open Space Commission, board president of the San Miguel Watershed Coalition and board member for the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. Peter is the San Miguel County municipal representative on the Southwest Basin Roundtable.
– Appointment January 2013 to December 2015, first term

If you would like to be informed about Citizens Advisory Committee openings when they occur, please contact:

Heather Stauffer
Liaison to CAC at
Denver Water
1600 West 12th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
303-628-6663
CitizensAdvisoryCommittee@denverwater.org