About DARCA

Contact Us

Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance
4307 Highway 66
Longmont, CO 80504

Phone (970) 535-0690

FAX (970) 535-0683

email: info@darca.org

The origins of DARCA

The idea of forming an organization just for ditch companies is something that's been kicked around for a long time. Karen Rademacher and John Wilkins-Wells were working together on a Dual Systems research project through Colorado State University, and had many discussions about the benefits of such an organization. At John's urging, Karen investigated the matter further and asked attorney Jeff Kahn for help. Jeff and his firm, Bernard, Lyons, Gaddis & Kahn, responded enthusiastically and even donated legal services to get DARCA's organizational papers in order.

DARCA was incorporated on August 7, 2001 under the guidance and support of these three founding volunteers. Our Organizational Meeting was convened on November 26, 2001 in Silverthorne. At that time, Karen Rademacher was hired as the Executive Director.

Karen was an invited guest speaker at two workshops organized by John, one in Grand Junction and the other in Fort Collins. The DARCA concept was presented to ditch companies representatives in attendance, and the idea was well received. These workshops were also used as a recruitment tool for soliciting board members to guide the organization.

Additional speaking engagements were scheduled with several area ditch companies and local water users associations. DARCA also hosted the "Roundtable for Ditch Companies" workshop session at the CWC Convention in January.

Our board of directors convened its first Annual Meeting on January 25, 2002 in Westminster. We have developed a work plan and have identified issues of prime importance to ditch companies around the State.

Founding volunteers

Karen Rademacher is a water resources consultant, specializing in water rights-related services to small municipalities, water districts, and ditch companies throughout Colorado. She is the president of CWR Consulting, LLC. Karen has now been hired as the Executive Director of DARCA.
John Wilkins-Wells leads Colorado State University's Irrigation Enterprise Water Lab in the Department of Sociology. He conducts research of interest to ditch and reservoir companies throughout the western United States, including the current CWCB-funded Dual Systems project. Visit the Water Lab at http://waterlab.colostate.edu. John will be coordinating innovative technology transfer opportunities to member ditch companies.
Jeffrey J. Kahn from the law firm of Bernard, Lyons, Gaddis & Kahn represents ditch companies across Colorado. Jeff has more than 15 years in this field and is lending his expertise and leadership to the formation of DARCA. His firm has donated the necessary legal services for DARCA's incorporation and application for IRS tax-exempt status.