Coalition for the Upper South Platte

“A healthy watershed – now and in the future.”

Non-profit organization

THE COALITION FOR THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE (CUSP) PROTECTS THE WATER QUALITY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE WATERSHED, THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF WATERSHED STAKEHOLDERS, WITH EMPHASIS PLACED ON COMMUNITY VALUES AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY.

Since 1998 CUSP has worked to protect the 1.6 million-acre watershed from the Continental Divide to Strontia Springs Reservoir, southwest of Denver. The watershed is a recreational mecca with over 1 million acres of public lands; it provides municipal water for about three quarters of Colorado’s residents; it is renowned for its “gold-medal” fishing streams; and it is home to numerous threatened and endangered species.

The Upper South Platte Watershed varies in elevation from about 6,000 to over 14,000 feet above sea level and contains five major municipal and several smaller reservoirs.

CUSP works with partners to provide essential services such as project planning, implementation, and monitoring within the watershed. Our commitment to the land and the people it serves is unparalleled. CUSP’s crews work tirelessly, whether on the ground or in the boardroom, to ensure communication, cooperation, and completion of vital programs. Working with volunteers, we plant thousands of trees each year, restore habitat, and improve recreational opportunities. Our crews also remove damaged and diseased trees and help reduce wildfire threats in our communities.

Thank you for your support!