Gypsum, Colo., Jan. 20, 2022 — When Holly Loff stepped into the role of executive director of Eagle River Watershed Council in July of 2013, she was part of a staff that included herself and one part-timer.

Almost nine years later, Eagle River Watershed Council, which strives to protect the rivers and streams of Eagle County, is an impactful and thriving organization. It now has five full-time employees and has more than doubled its annual fundraising totals since Loff arrived. Also during her tenure, it has completed more than 20 river restoration projects in Eagle County, expanded its education programming (including events offered in both English and Spanish) and has tripled volunteer participation.

Today, Loff announced that she will be stepping down as executive director of Eagle River Watershed Council in late February. She will be opening Sage Grant Writing and Consulting, a grant writing and program development consulting company based in Eagle County and specializing in supporting nonprofits.

James Dilzell, Education & Outreach Coordinator, will serve as interim executive director.

Tom Allender, President of the Board of Directors for Eagle River Watershed Council, said the search for a new executive director is under way (applicants can view the job description at erwc.org/employment), but that it will be a challenge to find a leader as effective as Loff.

“Holly’s shoes will be exceptionally difficult to fill,” Allender said. “Her service to this community, and to the natural rivers and streams that we value so much, cannot be understated. Time and again, if you ask people in this community what they care about most, they say ‘water and rivers.’ For the past eight-and-a-half years, Holly Loff has been the leader that has represented our community’s expressed interest in taking care of our watershed. We have been very fortunate to have her time and expertise, and we are very proud of the accomplishments of the organization under her leadership.”

Allender said that Loff will remain an advisor to the organization into the foreseeable future.

A lasting positive impact

Kathy Chandler-Henry was serving as the organization’s President of the Board of Directors in 2013 when Loff was hired. Chandler-Henry now serves on the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners.

“Holly took the helm at the Eagle River Watershed Council after a period of change, organizational development and growth,” Chandler-Henry said. “She has advanced the Council forward into a well-respected scientific, educational and advocacy organization. Her ability to see beyond the current work to imagine what’s possible, and her knack for developing partners in projects and research have paved the way for the next iteration of this important watershed group. Eagle County’s rivers and tributaries, and all the residents of this great place, have benefitted immensely from Holly’s leadership.  We are sorry to see her go and wish her great success in her new ventures.”

“Holly led the Watershed Council through a period of tremendous growth and professionalization over the past 9 years,” said Kate Burchenal, one of the organization’s earliest employees, who now serves on the Board of Directors. “Holly and I began working at the Watershed Council right around the same time in 2013 and as a green recent college grad, I was so glad to have her to learn from. Her fundraising and grant writing expertise allowed the Watershed Council to more than double its staff and in doing so greatly expand its project work, partnerships, and education throughout the valley. Holly’s passion for river recreation has made her an approachable and knowledgeable leader which in turn has deepened already strong partnerships with other nonprofits, the county, and towns, as well as local businesses. She always welcomed new projects and challenges, shepherding a vision for the Watershed Council that has kept pace with our growing valley and the water challenges we continue to face. Holly’s leadership, enthusiasm, and laughter will be greatly missed and we wish her the very best with her next endeavor!”

“Holly has been an important leader for the Watershed Council. In her eight-and-a-half years she’s truly improved the overall organization and elevated its professionalism and positive impact in our watershed and surrounding communities,” said Kim Langmaid, Vail Mayor, founder of Walking Mountains Science Center and professor of Sustainability Studies at Colorado Mountain College. “She has built important partnerships to improve the health and quality of all our streams and rivers. I am grateful for her work and look forward to seeing her excel in her new endeavors.”

“It was truly a pleasure to work with Holly at Eagle River Watershed Council. She is not only a talented professional, but also a wonderful and good-hearted person who was able to build a great team and strong, effective, relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders throughout the county and region,” said Cliff Simonton, who was President of the Board of Directors of Eagle River Watershed Council during Loff’s tenure. “She will be missed, but we look forward to having her continued counsel as the Watershed Council enters a new era.”

Major river and water issues ahead

Loff said that the organization is currently well-poised to enter one of its most important chapters.

“The looming impacts of climate change and population growth mean that the Watershed Council’s work is becoming increasingly important,” Loff said. “The next 5-10 years are going to be particularly critical to our watershed, and I look forward to seeing this amazing organization continue to rise to the challenge.”

The Watershed Council has a decades’ long history of protecting the health of rivers and streams in Eagle County. The organization was formed in response to chronic spills of heavy metals from the Eagle Mine into the Eagle River, which turned the river orange and impacted the fishery on numerous occasions throughout its history. In 1996, several existing groups unified under the Watershed Council name, and the organization attained 501c3 status in 2004.

Loff said that helping the organization grow and succeed has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her professional life.

“Looking back over my time here, I am proud of the restoration projects we completed, the education programs we implemented and much more, but all of it comes down to the great people in our community and those involved with the Watershed Council. Our donors and sponsors, our hard-working volunteers, the great folks on our board (past and present) and our absolutely stellar staff. It was an honor to work among all of them,” Loff said. “This was an extremely difficult decision, but I know the organization is in a very good place to enter its next chapter, and I know our community will continue to unify in support of our watershed. I am looking forward to watching the organization continue to grow.”

Loff earned a Bachelor of Science in resource conservation from the University of Montana and has twenty years of nonprofit experience in volunteer and personnel management, grants and development, program and organizational administration, finance and more. She is a native Coloradan who loves to hike, trail run, ski, play in the water, or sit beside it with a good book. She lives in Gypsum with her husband and two children.

About Eagle River Watershed Council
Eagle River Watershed Council is a community-supported 501c(3) organization with the mission to advocate for the health of the Upper Colorado and Eagle River basins through research, education and projects. Contact the Watershed Council at (970) 827-5406 or visit erwc.org to learn more.