We both develop and assess land and water policy. We work with policy institutes across the U.S. on matters relating to conservation, land use, and water management. We specialize in Colorado 1041 permitting policy and the creation and interpretation of land use code pertaining to Colorado’s Areas and Activities of State Interest Act.

In addition to economic impact assessments, we develop financial models to test the viability of prospective conservation projects, water markets, and new ideas. Our transaction models consider different capital and conservation finance stacks, such as payments for ecosystem services, conservation easement purchases, water quality trading frameworks, transfer of development rights, and land-value capture opportunities.

Intense competition for limited water supplies and mandated curtailments are having significant impacts on agriculture. Individual producers, farm communities, and entire ag economies are affected. We develop strategies to protect agriculture in the face of constraints and end or mitigate the impacts of buy-and-dry practices. Ditch- and basin-wide assessments examine how to optimize production. Mitigation strategies enhance regional economies while helping individual producers succeed under new water realities.

We develop water markets to support better outcomes for people and nature. Our work helps counter the commodification of water by making it profitable to use water in ways that benefit agriculture and the environment.