Grand County Water Information Network
Board of Directors
Katherine Morris Chair
Katherine Morris is a 4th generation Coloradoan who developed an interest in water and aquatic life playing in the Colorado River right here in Grand County at the Bar Lazy J (formerly the Buckhorn) Dude Ranch and in Little Dry Creek near where she grew up. She works as Grand County’s Water Quality Manager, and has been working on water issues for the county since 2007. Katherine graduated from Colorado School of Mines in 2005 with a master’s in Environmental Geochemistry, and earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Colorado College in 1989. Katherine was a River Watch volunteer for 11 years, and is the mother of two fine young Middle Park High School graduates.
Kirk Klancke
Vice-Chair
Kirk is a retired Manager of both the Winter Park Ranch Water and Sanitation District and the SiverCreek Water and Sanitation District. Besides having worked in the municipal water field, he presently sits on the boards of four water conservation organizations. He is the President of the Colorado River Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the President of the Drought Response Committee in Grand County, the Vice-President of the Grand County Water Information Network board and is on the Technical Committee of Learning By Doing. He has been actively involved in water conservation in Grand County since 1986.
Will O'Donnell
Treasurer
Will is a local real estate broker and a fifth generation Colorado native. He was baptized in the headwaters of the Colorado River in Grand Lake. He would like the waters to be as clear as they were when his grandparents enjoyed this special interface with Rocky Mountain National Park.
Jessica Alexander
Secretary
Jess is a Lead Scientist at Denver Water, where she has worked since 2015. An ecologist at heart and by training, Jess is passionate about wetlands and river ecosystems. Jess manages Denver Water’s environmental mitigation and enhancement projects on the east and west slopes in compliance with Clean Water Act/Section 404, NEPA, Endangered Species Act, and FERC hydropower permits. Jess is highly involved in Grand County’s Learning By Doing Cooperative Effort, where she represents Denver Water as co-chair of the Monitoring Subcommittee. Jess holds a Master’s degree in Biology from California State University, Sacramento. Jess is proud to call Colorado home, and in her spare time enjoys gardening, hiking, and skiing.
Jen Stephenson
Board Member
Jen has worked as an Environmental Specialist for Northern Water’s Water Quality Department since 2008. Jen coordinates activities associated with all Northern’s Water Quality Monitoring Programs which includes planning, data analysis and managing a large and ever-growing volume of water quality data from sampling in the Colorado-Big Thompson system. Jen is involved with water quality issues in Grand County and participates in several related water quality groups including the Three Lakes Technical Advisory Group, Grand Lake Adaptive Management Committee and Learning By Doing’s Technical and Monitoring Committees. Jen also participates in various State workgroups related to water quality regulations. She holds a degree in Watershed Science from CSU. Jen is a Colorado native and currently lives in Loveland with her husband, daughter and two dogs. She is an avid gardener and loves the lost art of canning food from her garden. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Geoffrey Niggeler
Board Member
Geoff is the Chief Environmental Engineer for Climax Molybdenum Company’s Henderson Operations. Geoff coordinates and manages all aspects of environmental stewardship for the Mine (Near Empire, CO) and Mill (in the Williams Fork Valley) Operations. There’s no surprise that water stewardship tops that list. Having an eclectic background in engineering that started as a Mechanical Engineer in the aerospace industry, Geoff found his passion when his professional and personal life crossed paths. Geoff is a Summit County native born in Kremmling so when given the opportunity to technically manage the tailings and water assets at the Henderson Mill in 2014 it was an excuse to move home and be a steward of his backyard. Since then, Geoff has moved directly into the environmental management roles in recent years to expand his responsibilities to include all environmental aspects for Henderson Mine and Mill. Geoff calls the lower Blue River Valley home with his wife, two young boys, ski boots and fly rods.
Josh Brody
Board Member
Bio coming soon!
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Rebecca Briesmoore
Board Member
Rebecca Briesmoore is a Water Resources Engineer/Project Manager with the Colorado River District. Rebecca has a Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State University and previously worked in Illinois as a Hydraulic Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Growing up along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, she discovered her passion for water early and still enjoys spending time meandering along Colorado's many streams and shorelines and dipping her toes in the water. Rebecca is currently finishing a Master's of Environmental Management degree from Western Colorado University and lives in Rifle, CO.