Secretary of Interior Visits Northern Colorado to Discuss Water, Wildfire Challenges

Burgum tours Poudre River restoration project, pledges federal support for local efforts

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:38pm

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A serene, painterly scene of a wooden structure nestled in a lush, sun-dappled meadow along a winding river, capturing the quiet, contemplative mood of conservation work in the American West.A federal official's visit highlights local efforts to restore Colorado's vital river ecosystems and build climate resilience.Greeley Today

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, visited Northern Colorado this week to learn firsthand about the region's pressing water supply and wildfire preparedness challenges. Burgum toured the Signature Bluffs Open Space along the Poudre River, where local conservation group CPRW has been working to restore the floodplain and improve water quality. The Secretary expressed optimism that the federal government can provide more coordinated support to assist local groups like CPRW in their efforts to build climate resilience.

Why it matters

Water scarcity and wildfire risk are growing concerns across the American West, and Colorado is no exception. The Secretary's visit underscores the importance of federal-local partnerships in addressing these complex, interrelated environmental issues that impact public lands, wildlife habitats, and community safety.

The details

During his tour, Burgum saw CPRW's efforts to 'act like beaver' by installing log structures and beaver dam analogs to slow water flow, increase riparian vegetation, and improve water quality along the Poudre River. These projects aim to reconnect the river to its floodplain, reducing flood risk and helping the river corridor stay healthy even in drought years. Burgum indicated the federal government could provide more support, whether through deploying aviation resources or coordinating with local groups to direct resources where they're needed most.

  • On Thursday, the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, visited Northern Colorado.
  • CPRW has been working to restore the Signature Bluffs Open Space along the Poudre River.

The players

Doug Burgum

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, who visited Northern Colorado to learn about the region's water and wildfire challenges.

Hally Strevy

The Executive Director of the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW), a local conservation group working to restore the Poudre River floodplain.

Gabe Evans

The U.S. Congressman representing Colorado's 8th congressional district, who accompanied Secretary Burgum on the tour.

Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW)

A local conservation group working to restore the Poudre River floodplain and improve water quality in Northern Colorado.

Signature Bluffs Open Space

A wildlife area and popular recreation spot along the Poudre River in Greeley, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's deploying aviation or whether it's putting resources in the right place, that we can do that in a coordinated way.”

— Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

“It's hard to see what's actually happening at the nationwide level until you come and see it in person.”

— Hally Strevy, Executive Director, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

What’s next

The Secretary indicated the federal government could provide more coordinated support and resources to assist local groups like CPRW in their efforts to build climate resilience and protect critical water resources and habitats.

The takeaway

Secretary Burgum's visit underscores the importance of federal-local partnerships in addressing complex environmental challenges like water scarcity and wildfire risk that are increasingly impacting communities across the American West. By seeing firsthand the on-the-ground work of groups like CPRW, the Secretary expressed optimism that the federal government can play a more active role in supporting local conservation and resilience efforts.