New commission to develop strategic plan for sustainable water management on campus and in the San Luis Valley
Adams State University President David A. Tandberg established the President’s Commission on Campus Water Conservation. The cross-disciplinary commission will advise University administration on effective management and preservation of water resources. The Commission will utilize research to develop data-driven practices to meet sustainability benchmarks and promote efficient use of water.
The Commission brings together university trustees, faculty, facilities professionals, and community water experts to advise the administration on both near-term operational improvements and long-term sustainability planning. It will report directly to President Tandberg and Adams State Vice President of Administration Kevin Daniel.
“Water is among the most precious and finite resources in the San Luis Valley, and Adams State has a responsibility to lead by example,” said President Tandberg. “This Commission reflects our commitment to institutional sustainability and our deep connection to the Valley we serve.”
The Commission’s work is organized around six primary areas of focus: operational efficiency and maintenance; technology integration and smart monitoring; long-term infrastructure and landscape planning; campus education and outreach; student engagement in research and implementation; and financial sustainability through grant funding and external partnerships.
Near-term priorities include conducting a comprehensive campus water audit, evaluating irrigation timing and frequency, and exploring the conversion of turf areas to drought-tolerant xeriscaping. Longer-term efforts will focus on embedding water conservation standards into the Campus Facilities Master Plan and ensuring alignment with applicable state and local regulations.
The Commission is co-chaired by Karla Shriver, Adams State University trustee and agriculture specialist, and Paul Formisano, Ph.D., director of the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center.
Additional members include:
Tom Worley, Adams State Director of Facilities
Kevin Ruybal, Adams State Grounds and Nursery Specialist
Chayan Lahiri, Ph.D., Adams State Associate Professor of Geosciences
Zena Buser, Ph.D., Adams State Professor of Business and Agribusiness
LeRoy Salazar, farmer, former Adams State trustee, and water engineer
The Commission will work in coordination with Tawney Becker, grants specialist, to identify and pursue external funding opportunities in support of its conservation initiatives.
Adams State University is Colorado’s only designated Rural Anchor Institution and a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution. Located in Alamosa in the heart of the San Luis Valley, one of the largest alpine valleys in the world and a region deeply shaped by agricultural tradition and water policy, the University is uniquely positioned to model sustainable water stewardship and contribute meaningfully to regional conservation efforts.
