Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

What Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed does

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. Its mission is to improve and maintain the ecological health of the Cache la Poudre River Watershed through community collaboration. The organization convenes federal, state, and local government agencies, municipalities, conservation NGOs, private landowners, and community volunteers around water and forest issues across approximately 211 river miles of Northern Colorado. Its work serves drinking water supplies for more than 300,000 people, mountain communities at wildfire risk, and the broader regional ecosystem.

CPRW delivers three core programs: a Rivers program built around Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) using hand-installed log jams, post-assisted log structures (PALS), and beaver dam analogs; a Forests program focused on wildfire mitigation, post-fire restoration, and reforestation (43,700+ seedlings planted since 2021); and a Community Science water quality monitoring program operating at 20+ sites in coordination with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station. The organization does not sell products or software and runs no technology-as-a-service offering.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropy and grants: individual donations, the 28-member Partners for the Poudre corporate sponsorship program (~$93,000 contributed in 2025), annual event fundraising (Take Me to the River), planned giving, and government grants. Major disclosed grants include a 5-year, $9.7 million USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant (2025) for the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project, a $65,275 GOCO grant (2024), CWCB Wildfire Ready Watersheds funding, Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART funding, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation America the Beautiful Challenge funding. CPRW operates with 1–10 employees and relies on partner organizations and volunteers for field execution.

Name

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

Legal name

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

Website

https://poudrewatershed.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that restores and protects the Cache la Poudre River Watershed in Northern Colorado through low-tech stream restoration, post-fire forest recovery, wildfire mitigation, and volunteer-driven water quality monitoring, serving municipalities, mountain communities, and 300,000+ downstream water users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK)

Keywords

• Watershed restoration services
• Wildfire mitigation programs
• Water quality monitoring
• River conservation services
• Forest health management

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting watershed restoration and conservation work. One-time or monthly giving options available.
2. Corporate Partnerships: 28 Partners for the Poudre contributed nearly $93,000 in 2025 through corporate sponsorships and partnerships.
3. Grant Funding: Funding from government agencies including USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant ($9.7M), Colorado Water Conservation Board, Bureau of Reclamation, and other federal/state programs.
4. Planned Giving: Support through wills, trusts, or annuities for long-term organizational sustainability.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual Take Me to the River fundraiser featuring sponsorships at various levels (Waterfall $5,000, Wetland $3,000, Headwaters $1,500, etc.).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers watershed conservation, river restoration, and wildfire mitigation services across the Cache la Poudre River Watershed in Northern Colorado. The organization convenes stakeholders around water and forest issues and implements Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR), community science water quality monitoring, reforestation, and fire risk reduction projects. All activities are funded through grants, donations, and corporate partnerships rather than product or service sales.

Product overview

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on watershed conservation and restoration rather than a technology product company. CPRW offers programs and services organized around three core areas: Rivers Program (river restoration, low-tech process-based restoration), Forests Program (wildfire mitigation, forest health), and Community Science (water quality monitoring). Key initiatives include post-fire restoration following the Cameron Peak Fire, the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project, reforestation efforts, and watershed planning. The organization does not offer a software product, SaaS platform, or technology-as-a-service offering. All activities are conservation and restoration programs operated in partnership with government agencies, conservation districts, and community volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) Program River restoration program using Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS), beaver dam analogs (BDAs), and log jams installed by hand crews to reconnect rivers with floodplains, slow water flow, capture sediment, and improve aquatic and riparian habitat. Targets degraded streams in the Cache la Poudre Watershed.
• Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project Multi-year wildfire defense program funded by a $9.7M USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant that improves wildfire defense of the entire Red Feather Lakes area through risk reduction and preparedness activities in Cherokee Meadows, Crystal Lakes, Glacier View, and Poudre Canyon communities.
• Cameron Peak Post-Fire River Restoration Post-fire river restoration program addressing critical erosion and sediment issues in high-priority watersheds impacted by the 208,913-acre Cameron Peak Fire (2020), the largest wildfire in Colorado's recorded history. Treats 19 acres of Cameron Peak burn area and installs 113 point mitigation structures impacting 6,000 linear river feet.
• Reforestation and Tree Planting in Burn Areas Coalition-led reforestation program partnering with local environmental non-profits to reforest burn areas using up-to-date science and adaptive monitoring. Planted 6,350 ponderosa pine seedlings on 72 acres of private lands in 2025 and 43,700+ seedlings total since 2021.
• Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer-based water quality data collection program at 20+ sites throughout the Upper Poudre Watershed, tracking wildfire and prescribed burn effects on source water and restoration project success. Partners with USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station and CDPHE for water quality analysis.
• Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative Long-term forest health initiative treating 1,100+ acres since 2015 through prescribed fire planning and forest restoration across private and public lands in the Elkhorn Creek watershed. Anchor site is the 3,200-acre Ben Delatour Scout Ranch Forest Legacy Conservation Easement property.
• Take Me to the River Annual Fundraiser Annual CPRW fundraiser combining ticketed attendance, corporate sponsorships at tiered levels, and partnership with local breweries (New Belgium, Odell, Horse & Dragon). The 4th annual event was held in 2026.
• Leave it to the Beavers Speaker Series Educational speaker series delivered in partnership with Trout Unlimited and other conservation organizations to educate Northern Colorado residents about beaver ecology, watershed processes, and restoration science.
• Partners for the Poudre Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate partnership and sponsorship program engaging local businesses (including New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing, Horse & Dragon Brewing, and PVREA) to financially support CPRW's watershed work and event programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68 acres of collaborative forest restoration and wildfire mitigation completed in 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Larimer County Office of Emergency ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management of the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project. OEM handles community education on home ignition zone concepts while CPRW coordinates wildfire mitigation treatments.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative since 2015. Collaborates on prescribed fire planning and forest restoration projects across private and public lands.
• Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides young adult crews for forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work. Created the Forestry Strike Team for the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project.
• Ben Delatour Scout RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner3,200-acre Forest Legacy Conservation Easement property serving as anchor site for Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative since 2015.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on post-fire restoration in Cameron Peak burn area and forest management projects. Rocky Mountain Research Station collaborates on water quality analysis.
• City of Fort CollinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in watershed planning, river restoration design, and water quality monitoring. Co-funded river health assessment and restoration projects.
• City of GreeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Seaman Reservoir restoration and post-fire recovery. Greeley depends on Poudre River for water supply.
• AloTerra Restoration Services, LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRestoration services provider for stream restoration projects including Unnamed Tributary 3 and post-fire restoration design and implementation.
• The Ember AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForest and fire management nonprofit providing training and implementation support for wildfire mitigation projects.
• Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative (NCFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella coordinating group of agencies and organizations dedicated to increasing pace and scale of wildfire mitigation across Northern Colorado.
• Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization providing labor for stream restoration, erosion control, and revegetation projects across the watershed.
• Larimer Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner on Lazy D Ranch forest restoration and Lower Poudre River restoration planning.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Community Science Water Quality Monitoring program for upper watershed water quality.
• New Belgium Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Take Me to the River fundraiser and Partner for the Poudre corporate sponsor.
• Odell Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Take Me to the River fundraiser, Poudre RiverFest, and Partner for the Poudre corporate sponsor.
• Horse & Dragon BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor and Partner for the Poudre, co-brewer of Little Cache Kernza Rye Ale for Take Me to the River.
• USFS Rocky Mountain Research StationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Charles Rhoades' lab conducts water quality analysis for Community Science Monitoring program.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a CPRW partner on beaver-related speaker series and watershed events, and operates stream-restoration and coldwater-fishery programs nationwide. Directly comparable mission overlap in watershed restoration, beaver dam analog work, and volunteer-driven riparian habitat improvement.
• Coalition for the Upper South Platte: CUSP is a similarly structured community-based watershed nonprofit working on the Upper South Platte River in Colorado. Highly comparable as a peer watershed coalition doing post-fire restoration, forest health, and volunteer-driven stewardship in an adjacent Colorado watershed.
• Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: WRV is a CPRW implementation partner supplying volunteer labor for stream restoration and revegetation across the Poudre Watershed. Directly comparable as a community-based, volunteer-powered restoration nonprofit working on erosion control, riparian planting, and forest health in Colorado.
• Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative: NCFC is the umbrella coordinating body of which CPRW is a core partner, focused on accelerating the pace and scale of wildfire mitigation across Northern Colorado. Directly comparable as a regional fireshed coordinating entity with overlapping stakeholders, agencies, and federal grant pursuits.
• Larimer County Conservation Corps: LCCC is a CPRW partner and a young-adult corps program executing forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work in the same geography. Comparable as a labor provider for the same Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative and Red Feather Lakes wildfire defense work.
• The Ember Alliance: The Ember Alliance is a CPRW partner providing training and implementation support for wildfire mitigation. Directly comparable as a forest-and-fire-focused nonprofit with overlapping programming in prescribed fire and post-fire restoration.

Broad incumbents

• American Rivers: American Rivers is a national river-conservation nonprofit that works on river restoration, dam removal, and clean water advocacy. Comparable as a larger national-scale organization focused on the same river-restoration and watershed-protection mission CPRW executes at the local level.
• The Nature Conservancy (Colorado Chapter): TNC is a long-term CPRW partner in the Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative and the dominant national environmental nonprofit. It is comparable as a major conservation NGO operating forest-restoration and watershed programs in Colorado with significantly larger scale and endowment.
• River Network: River Network is a national nonprofit that supports and capacity-builds local watershed groups like CPRW. Comparable as a higher-tier umbrella organization that CPRW could engage for funding, training, and cross-watershed replication of the LTPBR model.
• National Forest Foundation: NFF is a CPRW co-funder on the North Rim Road Wildfire Mitigation project and a national-scale nonprofit supporting National Forest restoration. Comparable as a federally connected funder/implementer for forest-restoration work on USFS lands in Colorado.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/poudrewatershed
• Facebookfacebook.com/poudrewatershed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/admin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed