From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
James Eklund, senior deputy legal counsel for Gov. John Hickenlooper and a former assistant state attorney general, has been selected as the new director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Eklund was selected by the CWCB’s governing board and Mike King, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources this week. He will lead the state’s water policy and planning efforts, including the development of a statewide water plan as outlined in a recent executive order by Hickenlooper. He replaces Jennifer Gimbel. “James is the right leader at the right time to take on this critical project,” said King. “He brings experience, purpose and a clear-sighted approach that’s vital as Colorado addresses the ever-tougher challenges of natural resource protection and water allocation in an ever-growing state.”
While serving as senior deputy legal counsel to Hickenlooper, Eklund was deeply engaged in key legislative and legal matters, often pertaining to water and natural resources including state water rights, the reorganization of state wildfire responsibilities and groundwater concerns in the South Platte River Basin.
More coverage from the Northern Colorado Business Report:
Gimbel, whose last day at the water board was Monday, said in an email that she took a job as counselor to the assistant secretary for water and science at the U.S. Department of Interior. She will advise Assistant Secretary Anne Castle on water issues in the West.
State Department of Natural Resources Mike King told Gimbel that Hickenlooper “wanted his own person in that job.” Gimbel started as director during former Gov. Bill Ritter’s administration and had served as director for five years. She reapplied for the job when Hickenlooper took office and served in the position as an “at will” employee, meaning the governor could replace her at any time.
“I’d been told I was doing a great job by the governor’s office,” she said. “It was a shock.”
Gimbel made a variety of accomplishments despite cuts to the state’s water fund during her tenure. In Northern Colorado, she advanced the Windy Gap Firming Project by freeing up $2 million in state money for infrastructure. The project by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District proposes to build Chimney Hollow Reservoir west of Carter Lake near Loveland…
While at the attorney general’s office from 2006 to 2010, Eklund provided legal expertise on water policy and planning issues. He represented the water board, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and the State Engineer’s Office in compact negotiations with other western states, the federal government and Mexico. He provided counsel on the Endangered Species Act and water quality laws and worked in several roles to protect state interests on the Colorado River.
The water board was created 75 years ago to provide policy direction on water issues. Governed by a 15-member board, the agency’s responsibilities range from protecting Colorado’s streams and lakes to water conservation, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning and water project financing. The water board also works to protect the state’s water apportionments in collaboration with other western states and federal agencies.
Here’s the release from the Department of Natural Resources (Todd Hartman):
James Eklund, senior deputy legal counsel for the Governor and a former assistant state attorney general, has been selected as the new director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Eklund, selected by the CWCB’s governing board and the executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, will lead the state’s water policy and planning efforts, including the development of a statewide water plan as outlined in a recent Executive Order from Governor John Hickenlooper.
“James is the right leader at the right time to take on this critical project,” said Mike King, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “He brings experience, purpose and a clear-sighted approach that’s vital as Colorado addresses the ever-tougher challenges of natural resource protection and water allocation in an ever-growing state.”
While serving as senior deputy legal counsel to Governor Hickenlooper, Eklund was deeply engaged in key legislative and legal matters, often pertaining to water and natural resources including state water rights, the reorganization of state wildfire responsibilities and groundwater concerns in the South Platte River Basin.
While at the Attorney General’s office from 2006 to 2010, Eklund provided legal expertise on many issues central to water policy and planning in Colorado. He represented the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, CWCB and the State Engineer’s Office in compact negotiations with other western states, the federal government and Mexico. He provided counsel related to compliance with the Endangered Species Act and water quality laws, and worked in several roles to protect state interests on the Colorado River.
“The Board is excited to have such a capable leader as James. His resolve will be crucial as we take the next step on completion of a statewide water plan,” said Alan Hamel, Colorado
Water Conservation Board chairman. “James’ lifelong connection with Colorado’s rich and often intricate water culture will serve him well as he guides us forward.”
Eklund is a fifth-generation Coloradan from the Western Slope. “I look forward to working with water leaders statewide to solve our significant water challenges,” Eklund said. “We are positioned to do so as a direct result of outstanding work by CWCB staff and former director Jennifer Gimbel.”
The Colorado Water Conservation Board was created 75 years ago to provide policy direction on water issues. Governed by a 15-member board, the agency’s responsibilities range from protecting Colorado’s streams and lakes to water conservation, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning and water project financing. The CWCB also works to protect the state’s water apportionments in collaboration with other western states and federal agencies.
More CWCB coverage here.