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Award-winning 'Written in Water’ documentary available on YouTube

See how Denver’s relationship with water shaped the growing city and state.
January 11, 2019 | By: Cathy Proctor

Editor’s note: Denver Water was honored to work with prominent Denver film producer Jim Havey, who died in January 2024, as he and his team created the Emmy-award-winning Written in Water as well as The Great Divide, both of which explored the critical importance of water to our state and its role in our history. Havey cared deeply about his work and the people he worked with.

Pierre Goetz, Gross Reservoir hydro operator and caretaker, does an interview with the film crew from HaveyPro Cinema, (from left) Nathan Church, partner, editor and creative director, Zach Andrews (in hat on the left), assistant editor and camera operator, and Jim Havey (in hat on the right), owner, producer and director.
Pierre Goetz, Gross Reservoir hydro operator and caretaker, does an interview with the "Written in Water" film crew from HaveyPro Cinema, (from left) Nathan Church, partner, editor and creative director, Zach Andrews (in hat on the left), assistant editor and camera operator, and Jim Havey (in hat on the right), owner, producer and director. Photo credit: Denver Water.

A 52-minute, Emmy-award-winning film produced as part of Denver Water’s 100th anniversary year in 2018 is available for viewing on YouTube.

The film, titled “Written in Water: Reflections on a Century of Service,” looks at the Mile High City’s historic relationship with water, how a reliable water supply enabled its growth and Denver Water’s relationships with people and communities across Colorado.

In 2019, Denver Water and producer HaveyPro Cinema of Denver were honored with an Emmy award from the National Academy’s Heartland Chapter, which recognizes excellence in media programming produced in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.

The film can be viewed via Denver Water’s website, here.

HaveyPro Cinema produced the film. Its team spent months interviewing historians, environmental advocates and water experts as well as visiting the different parts of Denver Water’s network, which supplies clean, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million people in Denver and surrounding suburbs.

“The engineering behind Denver Water’s system is always incredibly impressive,” said Jim Havey, the owner, producer and director of Denver-based HaveyPro Cinema.

The company also produced the 2015 documentary “The Great Divide,” which explored the history and future of water in Colorado.

Denver Water's documentary had its public premier in August 2018 at the University of Denver’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts.

Danielle Grant from 9NEWS served as the Master of Ceremonies for the premier. Denver Water Commissioner Paula Herzmark (who served from 2009 to 2021), then-Mayor Michael Hancock and Havey delivered opening remarks at the event.

The film also aired on local television stations in September and October 2018. Watch the trailer for "Written in Water: Reflections on a Century of Service:"