Bob Leavitt

President

Before retiring and moving to Estes Park in 2014 I was the Project Manager for a software development and web hosting company in Lincoln Nebraska. My wife and I have always loved Estes Park and decided to move here in retirement with our two dogs. I became interested in local issues including land use and conservation, preserving wildlife habitat, forest health, and creating a strong community. Before joining the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition, I served three years on the Estes Valley Planning Commission and five years on the Carriage Hills Property Owners Association. My other interests include hiking, local history, astronomy, ham radio, and volunteering locally wherever I can.

Joined EVWC 2020

Celeste Fraser

And the sentence that defines me is: Being fascinated with how Earth's systems are interconnected, I enjoy serving on the EVWC Board understanding how mountains, waters, wildlife, and people all can affect the health of our watershed.  

When I was 15, my Dad let me drive the open roads of western Colorado, and that did it--I was hooked on Colorado.  I went to CU for BA and MA and became fascinated with geography and how Earth's systems are all interconnected. My career was in textbook publishing and museum education, largely focused on global studies. Finally, I retired and returned to Colorado in 2013, a day before the flood.  After evacuating, I returned to Estes and watched the EVWC begin to restore the valley's waterways.  Still fascinated with geography, both global and local, I enjoy being involved with the EVWC, seeing how Colorado's physical and human systems are interconnected.   

Joined EVWC 2018

Frank Theis

Director

Having lived in Estes Park for 25 years, I’ve gotten to know all types of people – workers, business owners, professionals, and retirees. All together, we make up a great community that shares a love of the natural world and the beautiful mountain valley we live in.

In June, 1999, my development company bought Mary’s Lake Lodge in Estes Park. Since then, I have designed and built over 100 residential units in Estes Park, as well as providing planning services for others. I also volunteer for Habitat For Humanity in the Estes Valley.

I am a founding member and former President of the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition and have served the community as a member of many boards and committees.

Other than work, my main interests include playing music, architecture, workforce housing, wildlife conservation, climate change, and family.

Joined EVWC 2024

Joan Hooper

Vice President

Joan has loved the outdoors her entire life- hiking, climbing, skiing, boating, cycling, gardening- any excuse to be outside. She began vacationing in Colorado in the 60’s, moved to the state in 1985, and immediately fell in love with Estes Park. My husband has lived here since he graduated high school, and our first date was skiing in RMNP. I am also a ‘water baby’, spending uncountable hours and days kayaking, rafting, canoeing, and otherwise enjoying wild rivers all over the country. It has left me with a bone-deep appreciation for our waters as the lifeblood of our ecosystems.

Since I retired from my career as a biomedical researcher and Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at CU Medical School in 2023, I am free to give back to the world that has nurtured me. Joining the Board of EVWC is a perfect opportunity for me to use my organizational skills and water-centric passion for ecosystems to work towards their goal of a healthy watershed in the Estes Valley.

Joined EVWC 2024

Jennifer Waters

Director

 Jennifer first connected with the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition in July after spotting a newspaper invite for the public to tour of some of its projects. My inspiration for supporting its mission and work is based on my technical understanding that runoff management should match natural systems as closely as possible. My aspiration is to serve the coalition through project management, facility maintenance, and stormwater issues coordination. 

Joined EVWC 2018

Dawn James

Treasurer/Secretary

Having grown up in the mid-west, Dawn and her husband immediately fell in love with the mountains when they moved to Colorado in 2007, eventually making Estes Park their home in 2013.​ Joining EVWC was a natural fit as she has a passion for improving the protection of wildlife and their environment. Dawn is the CEM of Process Interventions LLC, a global business consulting organization, and has a BS in Industrial Engineering.

Joined EVWC 2017

Andy Ames

Director

 Andy Ames joined the board in the summer of 2020.  He and his wife, Rachel, have visited the Estes Valley for over 36 years and jumped at the chance to call Estes home.  As a naturalist, Andy has a passion for helping others appreciate wildlife. He currently volunteers with Boulder’s OSMP as a Trail Ambassador. He also volunteers with RMNP at Sheep Lakes, and with the Elk Bugle Corps. He is an avid mountain runner and has previously raced bikes, duathlons and all types of running races. He is excited to help the residents and visitors appreciate the amazing habitat and wildlife in the Estes Valley.

Joined EVWC 2020

Wilynn Formeller

Development & Program Coordinator

Wilynn and her family moved to Colorado in 2011, and have enjoyed every minute. She grew up on a ranch in Texas and this experience has shaped her passion for conservation and protecting natural resources. Originally from the Austin area, Wilynn previously worked for the Lower Colorado River Authority along with private landowners and consulting businesses conducting endangered species surveys, habitat assessments and vegetation analysis along with honing her GIS and other conservation related skills. As EVWC’s Program & Development Coordinator, she is responsible for everyday operations, project management, grant writing and administration and general support. Wilynn holds a MS in Wildlife Ecology, Texas State University

Joined in 2019

Karen Owens

Assistant Project Manager

Karen brings more than 25 years of animal behavior experience to the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition (EVWC). Although new to EVWC, she's been actively involved in wildlife research for the last 5 years and completed her Master's Degree in Biology in 2023. Before joining the EVWC team, she was the Director of Behavior at two animal shelters and specialized in sociability and aggression. She has been an accomplished and featured presenter at events across the US and Canada. Karen’s interests are focused on forest health and wetland restoration. 

Joined in 2023

Evan Jones

Grant Writer

Evan grew up in Loveland, Colorado, where he learned to love all things fish-related from a young age, catching his first trout on the Big Thompson River nearly 40 years ago. He graduated from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and has since alternated between working as a fly-fishing guide, instructor, and author to serving as a grants administrator for various non-profits. Evan is also a serial volunteer, serving on his neighborhood’s water board, as a mentor with The Mayfly Project, and with the Lyons Community Foundation, among others. He now writes grant requests for EVWC, and assists with various community outreach efforts.

Joined in 2023