Eagle River Coalition

What Eagle River Coalition does

The Eagle River Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization headquartered in Eagle, Colorado, that protects and restores the 970-square-mile Eagle River watershed and the broader Upper Colorado River basin. Formally established in 1996 (with predecessor roots to 1988 in response to the Eagle Mine Superfund site), the organization operates four interconnected program pillars: monitoring (the Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment Program collecting ~5,000 data points annually since 1998, plus the June 2025 River Report Dashboard providing real-time USGS-sourced flow and temperature data and a free Temperature Alerts email program), restoration (multi-million-dollar projects including the $4M+ Edwards Eagle River Restoration completed in 2015, the Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project, and ongoing Lower Eagle River Riparian and Wearyman Creek work), education (Eagle River Water Festival reaching 350 5th graders annually, Wild & Scenic Film Festival with 198 participants in 2025, Community Float, and workshops), and advocacy (Colorado River Drought Task Force participation, water rights policy, and Beyond Lawn water-resiliency program with Eagle County Conservation District and Colorado State University Extension). All programs and services are delivered free of charge to community members, anglers, recreation users, downstream water consumers, and local government partners. Revenue is generated entirely through individual donations, legacy/bequest giving, corporate sponsorships (notably Vail Resorts EpicPromise), event-based fundraising (Peak Flow Prediction Contest, highway and river cleanups), and grants — including a newly launched Eagle River Fund targeting $5 million for long-term restoration financing. The Coalition is staffed by 4-5 full-time professionals supported by 1,546 volunteers in 2025 and governed by an independent board of directors, with no parent entity, equity ownership, or institutional investor backing.

Name

Eagle River Coalition

Legal name

Eagle River Watershed Council, Inc.

Website

https://eagleriverco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Eagle River Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that monitors, restores, and advocates for the 970-square-mile Eagle River watershed in Eagle County, Colorado, serving residents, recreation users, and downstream communities through free programs funded by donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Wetlands & Waters of the U.S. Delineation / Riparian Assessments (EUAHAHAC)

Keywords

• Watershed protection services
• Water quality monitoring
• River restoration programs
• Environmental advocacy
• Community conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Eagle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from community members supporting watershed protection. The organization runs a matching challenge campaign (e.g., $50,000 commitment from local donor in 2025-2026). Accepts one-time and recurring donations via website and mail.
2. Legacy Giving and Bequests: Planned giving program where supporters can include Eagle River Coalition in their will or bequest to leave a legacy protecting local waterways.
3. Memorial Gifts: Donations made in memory of loved ones, honoring individuals by protecting the waterways of the Eagle River Valley.
4. Eagle River Fund Grants: The organization helps manage the Eagle River Fund, a water fund that provides grants to river restoration projects. The Fund has secured $1 million toward a $5 million goal and anticipates initiating competitive grant cycles.
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs from local businesses and organizations like Vail Resorts EpicPromise.
6. Peak Flow Prediction Contest: Annual fundraising contest where participants guess the date and time of peak river flow. Prizes donated by recreation brands; proceeds support stream rehabilitation and educational programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Eagle River Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that monitors, advocates, educates, and restores the Eagle River and Upper Colorado River watersheds. It collects approximately 5,000 water quality data points annually, runs real-time river flow and temperature monitoring dashboards, executes river restoration projects, and delivers community education programs such as the Eagle River Water Festival, Community Float, and Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

Product overview

Eagle River Coalition is a nonprofit environmental organization that offers a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on protecting and restoring the Eagle River and Upper Colorado River watersheds in Eagle County, Colorado. The organization operates several core programs: water quality monitoring (WQMAP) that collects 5,000+ data points annually; a Temperature Alerts Program providing daily water temperature notifications; a public River Reports Dashboard showing real-time flow and temperature data; the Beyond Lawn Program for water efficiency; the Eagle River Fund for financing restoration work; community education including the Water Festival, Community Float, and Film Festival; river restoration projects; and advocacy efforts. The organization rebranded from Eagle River Watershed Council to Eagle River Coalition in 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eagle River Fund: A water fund established in 2024 to provide long-term financial support to protect, enhance and maintain streamflows and overall health of the Eagle River watershed. Anticipated to initiate first competitive grant cycle in 2025.
• Beyond Lawn Program
• Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment Program (WQMAP)

Products and services

• Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment Program (WQMAP) Comprehensive water quality monitoring program that collects approximately 5,000 pieces of data annually to track the overall health of streams in the watershed. Provides science-based decision-making foundation for stakeholders and the community.
• Temperature Alerts Program Free water temperature alert program that sends daily emails regarding temperature trends and projected high temperatures throughout the watershed to encourage responsible angling during high water temperature periods. Targeted at anglers and river users.
• River Reports Dashboard Public dashboard displaying real-time river flow and temperature conditions throughout the Eagle River watershed, using USGS gage data to provide current conditions compared against historical averages with fishing temperature risk assessments.
• Beyond Lawn Program Water efficiency and stormwater quality program fostering water resiliency in Eagle County communities through education and cost-effective programs focused on water efficiency and stormwater quality.
• Eagle River Fund Water fund that provides long-term financial support to protect, enhance and maintain streamflows and overall health of the Eagle River watershed. Has secured $1 million toward $5 million goal and provides grants to river restoration projects.
• Community Education Programs Educational programming including Eagle River Water Festival for 5th graders (350 students annually), Community Float events, Wild & Scenic Film Festival (198 participants in 2025), water law basics workshops, sustainable landscaping series, and rafting outings.
• River Restoration Projects River restoration initiatives including the Edwards Eagle River Restoration Project ($4M+), Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project, Lower Eagle River Riparian Restoration Project, Abrams Creek Road Crossing Project ($119,207 budget), and various stream crossing and habitat improvement projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ data points collected annually for water quality monitoring
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Eagle County Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Co-founded the Beyond Lawn Program with Eagle County Conservation District to foster water resiliency through education and cost-effective programs focusing on water efficiency and stormwater quality.
• Colorado State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in the Beyond Lawn Program, providing research-based education on sustainable landscaping and water conservation for Eagle County communities.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborated on the Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project completed in 2019, which protected the only known indigenous trout population in the Eagle River Valley. This was a unique and historic partnership.
• Buckhorn Valley Metropolitan DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnered with Buckhorn Valley Metropolitan District on the Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project protecting native trout populations.
• Colorado Parks & WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborated on the Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project and ongoing fish population studies. CPW participates in aquatic organism passage projects and stream restoration initiatives.
• Bureau of Land ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019BLM is a key partner on the Lower Eagle River Riparian Restoration Project, managing BLM property along the river from Gypsum campground downstream. Joint work on NEPA compliance and stream restoration.
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on the Wearyman Creek Watershed Health Improvement project on the White River National Forest. USFS leads the project with ERC providing watershed health expertise.
• Jacobs EngineeringmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering firm engaged to develop conceptual alignments for the Wearyman OHV route project to reduce impacts to the creek and wetland areas.
• Eagle River Water and Sanitation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in water quality improvement efforts, including funding the Gore Creek Water Quality Improvement Plan.
• Town of VailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Gore Creek restoration, environmental sustainability initiatives, and community education programs including Lunch with the Locals events.
• Colorado Department of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on stream restoration projects including the Black Gore Creek Sediment Control Action Plan.
• Wilderness WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted the Homestake Community Science Day (bio blitz) with experts from Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Walking Mountains Science Center, and Roaring Fork Audubon.
• Walking Mountains Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in community science education and bio blitz events in the Homestake Valley.
• Colorado Natural Heritage ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner in biodiversity inventory work during Homestake Community Science Day.
• Roaring Fork AudubonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in bird species inventory during Homestake Community Science Day.
• Yampa River FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInspired the creation of the Eagle River Fund; model water fund that deployed in 2019 near Steamboat, CO.
• Upper Eagle Regional Water AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in water quality improvement and conservation initiatives.
• Town of AvonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in urban runoff management and water quality improvement efforts.
• Colorado Department of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-kind support for highway cleanup events.
• Vail HoneywagonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-kind support services for cleanup events.
• Mountain RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-kind support for cleanup events.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yampa River Fund: Water fund modeled in 2019 near Steamboat Springs that directly inspired the Eagle River Fund. Operates the same water-fund structure providing grants for streamflow protection, restoration, and monitoring on the Yampa River in Colorado.
• Roaring Fork Conservancy: Colorado-based nonprofit focused on watershed protection, water quality monitoring, and river stewardship in the Roaring Fork Valley. Closest direct peer given nearly identical mission (freshwater conservation), service model (monitor/educate/restore/advocate), and community-driven nonprofit structure.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit with whom Eagle River Coalition partnered on the Abrams Creek Cutthroat Project. Directly comparable focus on native trout protection, stream restoration, and volunteer-driven habitat work.
• Colorado Water Trust: Colorado-focused nonprofit that works to restore flows in rivers through water leasing and restoration funding. Highly comparable as a Colorado freshwater conservation nonprofit that uses innovative financing tools, much like the Eagle River Fund.
• Wilderness Workshop: Roaring Fork Valley conservation nonprofit partnered with Eagle River Coalition on the Homestake Community Science Day. Comparable as a regional conservation nonprofit focused on land and water protection in the central Colorado Rockies.

Emerging players

• Walking Mountains Science Center: Eagle County-based environmental education nonprofit that partners with Eagle River Coalition on community science events. Comparable on the educational programming side, particularly K-12 watershed education like the Eagle River Water Festival.

Broad incumbents

• American Rivers: National river conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring rivers across the U.S. Comparable mission (river health, restoration, advocacy) but operates at a national scale with a much larger staff and budget.
• The Nature Conservancy (Colorado Chapter): Global conservation nonprofit with active Colorado work on water, forests, and climate. Comparable in freshwater conservation outcomes but vastly larger scale and broader portfolio than the single-watershed-focused Eagle River Coalition.

Regional players

• Conservation Colorado: Statewide environmental advocacy organization that influences Colorado water policy, including Colorado River Drought Task Force work in which the Eagle River Coalition also participates. Overlaps on advocacy and policy work but covers all of Colorado.
• Western Resource Advocates: Regional nonprofit advocating for water, land, energy, and communities across the Interior West. Overlaps with ERC on Colorado River policy, water rights advocacy, and drought response, but operates at a multi-state scale rather than a single watershed.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/eagleriverco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eagle-river-coalition

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 Eagle River Coalition