Conejos Clean Water

This non-profit organization was formed when LANL and The Department of Energy attempted to transport nuclear waste over two Colorado water ways. A group of local residents have since moved this organization to include not only environmental justice but education and food justice. Under their umbrella a school, Justice and Heritage Academy, has been formed to insure that children become aware of these injustices throughout our nation’s history. Grassroots is how this organization funds itself.

Presently a new community greenhouse is being built to grow produce that is GMO free.

I volunteer my math teaching skills at the academy.

A truly grassroots organization! Initially I was involved with the effort to avert the transport of waste taken from area G in Los Alamos, NM across Colorado into Utah via train. This initiative was stopped with the help of local citizens and the dedication of local leaders and alumni from across the country. I have seen this organization extend its services to include so many areas of injustice as it partners with other non-profits to address a myraid of injustices: food justice, ( gardening and good prep for students and parents) environmental justice ( fracking, water pollution,) educational justice( differentiated instruction--CCW currently supports a Home School Consortium which addresses these issues with a totally volunteer group of teachers and parents)!

Staff and Board Members are a cooperative and insure all issues are addressed and the membership is kept aware by maintaining an informative website!

The organization has evolved financially such that staff is compensated but the first few years of its existence every bit of the effort was donated...services donated by professionals whom we could not possibly have been able to pay.

Yes I definitely nominate this non-profit as one of excellence!

The staff and board of Conejos Clean Water are passionate about our community and protecting our land, water and air. However, their love for the community doesn't end there, but extends to some of our most valuable resources - our children. CCW invests so much time connecting with and sharing their values with the young people in our communities - teaching them about caring for and maintaining their natural and cultural resources. They have even extended that education out of the immediate community, connecting with children throughout the valley. I work with the Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley and just during the few months I have been there, CCW Co-Director Anna Vargas has coordinated and invited our youth to participate in three amazing field trips. I am not sure I have ever met a more dedicated, caring and action-oriented group as CCW. This is an amazing organization. Thank you, Conejos Clean Water for ALL that you do to make sure we, and generations to come, have clean water and air and the opportunity to care for and protect our precious lands and cultures!!!

Ditto to all that has been previously said about Conejos Clean Water. They are a collaborative organization that is willing to share their vision for a healthier environment within their community and the larger San Luis Valley. They are bringing together many diverse people to engage in projects that work toward a healthier community on a lot of levels. They are a breath of fresh air and positivity for the SLV. Particularly important is their work engaging and educating local youth in projects that encourage environmental awareness, sustainability, and knowledge of history and culture. We are all blessed by their efforts! At different times I have been a donor, adviser, volunteer, professional with expertise in the field, and a general member of the public. Their staff is stellar! Loretta Mitson

As Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies Emeritus who retired in 2011 after 22 years as a tenured faculty member at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, I could not have imagined a better way of truly returning home, and finally living year around on my family ranch on el Rio Conejos, than by serving my community as Co-Chair (with Dr. Michele Trujillo) of the Board of Directors of Conejos Clean Water (CCW). I have no words to express the depth of the honor I feel it is to work with the synergetic team composed of board, staff and volunteers of CCW who are so completely dedicated to the enhancing the health and general welfare of all the human and more-than-human beings that dwell in the Conejos Land Grant Region. From my perspective, CCW operates on the basis of the indigenous principle that the land and the people are so interdependent as to comprise one and the same elementary, composite being. The CCW staff (Executive Director Justin Garoutte, Project Coordinator Anna Lee Vargas, and Master Gardener Abe Rosenberg) together form the beating heart of CCW, and each day they are preserving and protecting our San Luis Valley environmental, social, and cultural traditions of earth justice. Justin earlier posted on this site: "Poco a poco, se anda lejos!" --"Little by little, we walk far!" Indeed! Ándale!

My name is Shirley Romero Otero and I am a community organizer, educator and Executive Director of the Move Mountains Youth Project Inc. in San Luis, CO, (Costilla County). Conejos Clean Water is one of the most active, progressive and important organizations in the San Luis Valley. Move Mountains partnered with Conejos Clean Water and were able to clean several illegal dumps in our community, especially along the sacred waterways known as "Acequias." In all, we collected over 90 tons of trash in our community. It would have not been possible to do this work without the financial assistance and guidance from this group. They have also sponsored fieldtrips for our students which they loved. Working with Justin and others from the group is a pleasure and an honor. They do OUTSTANDING work and are a vital part of the community. Keep doing what you are best at!

Thank you Conejos Clean Water for fighting for the people of the San Luis Valley. As a native to Antonito, I am heartened to see them fighting for maintenance of culture and the well being of the people.

I have proudly been a staff member of Conejos Clean Water for almost two years now. CCW strives everyday to advocate for environmental, social, economic, and food justice in our communities. I have seen first hand this organization come into fruition with our wonderful staff, board, and community members at the helm. I love my job and will continue to work diligently for the land, water, and people of the San Luis Valley. :)

Conejos Clean Water is an outstanding community resource that has deep roots in social and environmental justice. They have broadened their work as part of San Luis Valley Inspire and are now providing school gardens and outdoor education to their community. I look forward to the opportunities that will come to Conejos county because of their leadership in the community.

Conejos Clean Water continues to be a leader in their Agro work which is connected directly to the people of the SLV. They are never hesitant to step up on issues of equality and representation. They take their mission very seriously and live up to the expectations every day. We are proud of the role they fulfill in our expanded community.
Marty Asplin, www.delnortetrails.org

Awesome organization. Everyone that works for Conejos Clean Water is very friendly and professional. If I could pick a favorite nonprofit Conejos Clean Water would be it.

I'm a missionary for the LDS church and have been doing community service for Conejos Clean Water. This nonprofit has done a lot of good things for this small community. They help the students here in the valley about gardening, picking up waste, and they have been donating their time and food grown during the year to help out in the community. The people here are very friendly and do an awesome job.

Conejos Clean Water is continuing to breath new life and energy into this part of the San Luis Valley! I'm very thankful for all they do.

The Conejos Clean Water staff is passionate, hardworking and dedicated to Conejos County youth. They are a pleasure to work with on a partnership level and know the work they do is highly appreciated in their community!

Conejos Clean Water is based in Antonito, Colorado of the San Luis Valley. The organization has a unique advocacy focus on social, environmental, food, and economic justice. CCW tackles projects and issues that are important to the communities it operates in the region and is effective.

Conejos Clean Water is comprised of energetic, compassionate and sincere people who protect the natural environment of Conejos County, therefore, benefiting all that live-in and visit the area. They lead by example and are a greatly valued non-profit organization, not just in Conejos County but for the entire San Luis Valley, the region and the state.

~~Mary Hoffman
Adams State University Community Partnerships

Conejos Clean Water is doing amazing work in the San Luis Valley. Their fantastic staff is engaging the public and creating positive change in their community. From protecting public lands to working with local schools to ensure civil rights, their programming is diverse and valuable. I am in awe of what they have accomplished and can't wait to see what they tackle next.

Conejos Clean Water deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting inclusiveness both in the workplace and the world. The embrace of human diversity, like the embrace of biological diversity, is not only a matter of tolerance, fairness, and moral duty; it is a matter of love. Conejos love, and wish to sustain, the astounding variety of human beings and cultures that has arisen on this planet over untold thousands of years.
They believe there is not only an intrinsic link between protecting the diversity of the Earth’s cultures, languages, plants, and animals, but between that work and having a staff diverse in gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic background.
Diversity in all forms, and a profound respect for the multiple possibilities and perspectives that such diversity offers, enables and inspires powerful, creative work. Only such work can meet the challenges of complex and far-reaching global crises such as extinction, climate change and cultural oppression. They are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion within their organization, the environmental movement and the world at large, and believe diversity reporting is positive new step to bring about needed changes.

Great opportunity for our youth to experience the process of planting their own food which allows them to appreciate the value of their hard work.

I was apart of a group of students from metropolitan state university of Denver that traveled to Antonio in order to conduct written surveys and in-person interviews with the goal of helping CCW and the valleybound community garden to evaluate how well the program is Doing at achieving success in the areas of fruit/vegetable knowledge, consumption, self-sustainability and an all around center for community connectedness. Needless to say we heard nothing but positive feedback from the community, volunteers, students and program leaders. This program is something the community is really getting behind and i can honestly say it is helping to achieve a psychologically and physically healthier community. I was delighted to hear abot the garden reaching out to help at-risk youth through a summer run initiative and loved hearing about the direction they are hoping to take this program in as a whole. In just one year this program has helped to achieve community connectedness and raise community knowledge surrounding nutrition! I also love meeting and interacting with all the people of Antonio and hope to come back in a few years to see how the garden has grown. With great pleasure, Cameron ulrich

I have been a staff member with Conejos Clean Water for almost a year now and I just want to say that this agency is nothing short of amazing. The work that this agency puts into environmental issues from its founders, board members, staff, and community is truly remarkable. CCW was founded by community members to stop the transport of radio active materials through Conejos County in order to protect, not just Conejos County, but the entire SLV from something that could have turned into a catastrophe. The work that has been put into illegal dumpsite clean-ups, the hours put into collaborating with other organizations, educational activities with the youth, preservation of our way of life, and food sustainability has been a blessing to the communities of the San Luis Valley. I am proud to be part of this organization and to continue this work with heart, courage, and empathy.

Great organization that advocates for progress, sustainability and equality. My best wishes to them!!

CCW is not shy when it comes to championing initiatives that are best for the community and it's youth. CCW takes the time to listen and address issues to ensure things work for all the residents that call the valley home. Thanks CCW!!! #CCWdoesWrk

First the Conejos Clean Water group with community leaders successfully challenged the DOE regarding the transfer of nuclear waste near Antonito and the Rio Grande River. Now they'd like to permanently protect the pristine area from other encroachments such as fracking. The expansion of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument into the current BLM land in Conejos County is that solution. The added benefits of the National Monument would be to the towns, local businesses, farmers (agritourism) and peoples of this area of southern Colorado to grow and prosper in sharing the area with visitors who would benefit in learning about the area's rich history, heritage, culture and enjoy the beautiful landscape that is unique to this part of Colorado.

They do not consider the consequences of their agendas to other members of the public. They only value their own selfish beliefs.

We all know water is the very essence of life - and we also know that without vigilant advocates our right to clean water and a healthy environment can easily be taken away. Conejos Clean Water plays an absolutely essential role in protecting an important resource for all of us.

I feel they are trying to shove this national monument down our throat. It does not involve any of them and they don't give a damn how the rest of us are affected. It is just for more control for the federal government. It will make it more difficult for the people with allotments on BLM because they will reduce the number of head grazed and restrict how they are to be ran more than it now is. They can promise us everything but as soon as it is a monument it will be out of their hands and ran by the federal government.

Among many other things, we have CCW to thank for not having to deal with the horrors of toxic nuclear waste in Antonito. Their comprehensive, well researched and all-inclusive approach to each and every issue that comes up is an inspiration to us all. Thank you CCW, for tirelessly watching over the lands and wildlife that without you would have no voice!

Conejos Clean Water is wonderful grassroots organization, it has the best interest of our community in mind.

Did great work protecting valuable land from multinational mining interests. Great staff and volunteers.

This is a wonderful organization that I have donated to based off of their ideals and work to involve community members of all ages. The community garden is a way to involve youth in education outdoors and with hands-on learning. This is something that anyone can get behind!

Clean water is a basic human right. Conejos Clean Water provides a vital service to ensure protection of this community resource. We must be vigilant and protect water quality now and for the future generations.

Thank you for the important work that you do everyday! Advocating for access to healthy spaces and food is important for the people of Conejos County!

CCW serves a critical role in the San Luis Valley, protecting vital water resources for future generations.

I love this organization and community. My experience with them was one I'll remember forever. They are a true example of how community works as an organism toward a common goal. They have participants that range from ages 9-90 and all of them are active. They have a deep love for the work, their geography, their history and each other. They are also incredible historians and shared amazing stories. It was a blessing to meet and work with them and I hope to be back in Antonito to reconnect soon.

CCW works hard to keep the community involved and informed. Although I may not agree with the organization on certain issues, I feel that they always handle opposing views tactfully.

They support the government takover of our land. I do not support them and advise all to do the same.

Conejos Clean Water does not have a realistic view of the community around them. They don't care how their campaigns negatively affect farmers and ranchers within their community. They only serve their own private agendas no matter how many people they hurt in the process!

They are working on saving our land from hazardous chemicals. They are teaching us how to take better care of ourselves, and families, by bringing the community garden into our county. I myself have become more health conscious through this community garden. They simply care about the safety and health of our communities

Conejos Clean Water brings community together through their Valleybound Garden, engages area youth in outdoor recreation, stands up against fracking (even in court), and remains committed to serving the communities of the San Luis Valley.