Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Members

Becky Long represents environmental groups. She has a strong knowledge of Colorado water issues through her work with the Colorado Environmental Coalition. She has served as water caucus coordinator for the coalition since June 2006, where she has worked with 15 nonprofit organizations to develop and advocate for water supply and management decisions that are environmentally and economically sustainable. Becky received her bachelor's degree in political science from Metropolitan State College and her master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. She is a fifth generation native of Colorado.
– Appointment January 2009 to December 2011, second term

David Spector represents Denver residents. He is an attorney at Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP, where his practice focuses on public sector and policy matters in land use and transportation law.  David also has a background in public finance law, and has represented municipal issuers in bond transactions to finance wastewater treatment systems, among other projects. He holds a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University. He has a background in economic development and public policy and has worked as a research analyst with the U.S. Agency for International Development. David is a Denver native, whose civic activities include serving on the board of Greater Park Hill Community Inc., and volunteering for University of Denver Law School Lawyering Process program.
– Appointment April 2007 to December 2009, first term

Don Schlup represents suburban customers. Don is founder and owner of Scien-Turf-ic Sod Farms. As a sod producer for  over forty years, he recognizes how critical water management is in the  production and maintenance of his crop. As a contractor installing  thousands of lawns in the Denver metro area, Don also is aware of  homeowners’concerns with water management of their trees,  shrubs and grass. He understands the importance of conservation and control  of water consumption while maintaining landscape investment. During the  drought, Don worked with the Denver and Aurora water boards, South Adams Water,  GreenCO and Rocky Mountain Sod Growers seeking solutions for contractors,  consumers and water providers. It was a critical time for all, but by  working together through improved communication and education, solutions  were found. Don is a former Denver teacher with a B.S. and M.A. in  biology from Central Missouri University and is a resident of Greenwood  Village.
– Appointment November 2009 to December 2012, first term

Barry Hudson represents suburban distributors. Since 2007, Barry has been the manager of the Wheat Ridge Water District, a suburban distributor on the west border of Denver. He graduated from the University of Colorado Law School. He is a practicing lawyer who specializes in utility matters and represents special districts, including High View Water and Daniels Sanitation. Barry has practiced law in Wheat Ridge with a utility specialization since 1974. His clients include the Wheat Ridge Water District, Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District and the Wheat Ridge Sanitation District. Barry also is president of the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club.
– Appointment January 2009 to December 2011, first term

Carol Pace represents Denver residents. She is a 30-year resident of Denver who has had a 35-year career in public administration and university medical department management in Colorado and California. She is a fellow at the American College of Medical Practice Executives. Carol’s background is in medical practices and group homes management, as well as in clinical and basic science research. She also is an elected supervisory committee member of one of the state’s largest credit unions and is an ambassador for the Public Employees Retirement Association. Carol has volunteered for more than 10 years with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. She is a member of the Denver Natural Resources Committee of the Denver League of Women Voters and a member of the water-related issue group of the Sierra Club. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in economics, with honors, from the University of California at Santa Cruz and her master’s degree in public administration from the University of California at Irvine.
– Appointment January 2009 to December 2011, first term

Jeff Willis represents the Homebuilders Association of Metro Denver. Jeff has more than 15 years of experience in the homebuilding and real estate development industries. Jeff is a past president of the Homebuilders Association, as well as the former chair of the Denver International Airport Partnership. He also is a former board member of the Centennial Water and Sanitation District and has been involved in several large water projects. Jeff currently works for Berkeley Homes and is a partner in Talavera Properties and Neighborhood Partners LLC. He received an economics degree from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University. Jeff and his family are residents of the City and County of Denver.
– Appointment December 2009 to December 2010, first term

Rick Sackbauer lives in Vail and represents Western Slope residents. He is a project manager in design and construction for the Vail Resorts Development Company. Rick served as chairman of the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, the second largest water provider on the Western Slope. He is president of the Eagle Park Reservoir Company. He has participated in the Statewide Water Supply Initiative and represents Colorado's recreation industry at the Colorado River Basin Roundtable. He also is a member of the Colorado River Headwater Forum, Club 20, the Colorado Water Congress and the Summit County Water Forum. Rick received a bachelor's degree in restaurant management from Kansas State University.
– Appointment October 2004 to December 2010, second term

Jim Ives represents public interest groups. He currently is a board member and youth education director of the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Jim is a board-certified environmental professional. He has retired after a broad, diversified management and technical career in environmental management and governmental relations spanning more than 37 years. He spent a major portion of his career with the Atlantic Richfield Company in Colorado and Alaska dealing with the environmental aspects of energy and mineral resources development and production. He also served a short time as the executive director of the Rocky Mountain Oil & Gas Association. More recently, he managed the environmental programs for the city of Aurora and served as project manager for the early transfer and environmental restoration project at the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. Jim has also worked as an environmental consultant and with federal and state environmental agencies. His current civic activities include serving as a volunteer naturalist for Roxborough State Park and volunteering at a local food pantry. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Jim and his wife have lived in Centennial since 1994.
– Appointment February 2009 to December 2011, first term

Melvin Rettig, a farmer on Orchard Mesa near Grand Junction, represents the Grand Valley and the Western Slope. Melvin has spent his life at the fruit and vegetable farm he currently operates. He attended Colorado State University and earned a degree in agricultural engineering specializing in irrigation and drainage. He is a current or former member of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Mesa County Farm Bureau, Mesa Conservation District, Colorado State Conservation Board, noxious weed advisory committees for Colorado and Mesa counties, Colorado Farm Bureau Water Committee, Colorado Ag Water Alliance Committee, Colorado Basin Round Table and the Ute Water Conservancy District. While a member of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, Melvin was involved in negotiations in water court concerning Wolford Mountain Reservoir and the Orchard Mesa Check Structure.
– Appointment February 2008 to December 2010, first term

Phil Lidov represents Denver residents. He currently works for Jacobs Engineering as a Global Information Systems coordinator for Regional Transportation District’s FasTracks program. Phil, who has lived in Colorado for 18 years, has 15 years of experience as a Geographic Information Systems and Management Information Systems consultant, working primarily in the fields of public infrastructure, transportation and environmental resources. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Haverford College in Haverford, Penn., and a master’s degree in geography from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
– Appointment August 2008 to December 2011, first term

If you would like to be informed about Citizens Advirsory Committee openings when they occur, please contact:

Joe Sloan
Liaison to CAC at
Denver Water
1600 West 12th Avenue
Denver, CO 80254
303-628-6320
CitizensAdvisoryCommittee@denverwater.org