Skip to content

River Enthusiasts and the Outdoor Industry Stand Up for the Colorado River

For immediate release:

River Enthusiasts and the Outdoor Industry Stand Up for the Colorado River at Outdoor Retailer
Campaign organizes support for Secretary Jewell, Former CEO of REI

 Salt Lake City, Utah (July 29, 2013) – Stand Up for the Colorado River, a campaign aimed at keeping the Colorado River flowing as well as its $26 billion dollar recreation economy, will be in full force at the 2013 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market (ORSM). Protect the Flows, American Rivers, Save the Colorado and their partners Boardworks Surf and Teva will be hosting and participating in several events and giveaways throughout the week of ORSM.  Protect the Flows, a coalition of nearly 900 businesses that depend on the Colorado River, will be giving away Boardworks Surf inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) to two lucky winners who send a tweet to the new Secretary of the Interior and former CEO of REI, Sally Jewell.

The 2013 ORSM is the perfect venue to tell the Colorado River’s story. The Colorado River and its tributaries support 250,000 sustainable recreation industry jobs across the southwest, and yet, in 2013, American Rivers named the Colorado River the nation’s #1 most endangered river due to drought, over-allocation and climate change.  Additionally this year, the former CEO of REI, Sally Jewell, was appointed as Secretary of the Interior. “Sally Jewell was a problem solver and exceptional leader during her time leading REI as the largest outdoor retailer.  With Jewell now leading the major federal agency that makes policy on the Colorado River,” stated Co-Director for Protect the Flows, Craig Mackey, “the outdoor industry wants to encourage her to build on her legacy and stand up for the Colorado River.

The Colorado River Basin Supply and Demand Study released last December concluded that the most cost effective and easily implementable ways to address the imbalance on the Colorado River is to improve urban and agricultural water conservation, along with similar measures that focus on efficiency.  In fact, three million acre feet in water savings were identified in the study via agricultural and urban conservation – savings that will address the critical need for healthy flows in the river.  As a result, the Department of the Interior and the seven Colorado River basin states have convened three workgroups tasked with developing next steps on agricultural conservation and transfers, urban conservation and re-use, and ensuring healthy flows in the river.  The Stand up for the Colorado River campaign is working to make sure that these next steps become policy to help achieve the attainable goal of saving three million acre feet of water.  For more information, click here.

Gretchen Gamble, Marketing Director for Boardworks Surf states, “Boardworks is standing up for the Colorado River and asking Secretary Jewell to join us in supporting conservation measures to ensure that our water needs are met while also preserving the recreation and tourism economy that we all depend on.”

Protect the Flows will randomly select two winners to receive a Boardworks Surf SUP paddleboard from among all who send this tweet to Secretary Jewell:

$26B & growing, @SecretaryJewell stand up to keep our #CoRiver rec economy flowing! 

“The Outdoor Retailer show is the place where the whole industry unites,” said Teva PR Manager Jamie Eschette. “As a brand founded along this river, we want Jewell to know that the Colorado River is critical to our company and many others. The entire outdoor industry is behind her as she tackles this pressing challenge.”

Where to find us at ORSM?

  • Demo Day on Tuesday 7/30 (Booth #D184 at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir) Photo Opportunity: Kenji Haroutunian, Show Director ORSM and Industry Veteran will Stand Up for the CO River (on a SUP) at 10am.
  • Happy Hour at Boardworks Surf, Wednesday, July 31 & Thursday, Aug 1@ 5:30pm (Booth # 38138) – Stand Up Paddle Board giveaways (2 total) and on Thursday only– an opportunity to meet photographer, filmmaker, Colorado River advocate and author/producer of the book and film Chasing Water Pete McBride
  • Infamous Stringdusters concert, Wednesday July 31 @ 8 pm at the Depot – A benefit for American Rivers.
  • Conservation Alliance Breakfast, Thursday, August 1 @ 7 am, Marriot Salon F-1 with Pete McBride
  • Teva Happy Hour and Original Sandals for $20 donation, Wednesday, July 31 @ 4:30 (Booth #8026) with Kevin Fedarko, author of The Emerald Mile. All proceeds go to Save the Colorado, a partner with Stand Up for the Colorado.
  • Stop by the Protect the Flows, in ‘advocacy alley’ (Booth #38138)

Visit www.StandUpForCoRiver.com to learn more about the campaign to protect the Colorado River.

More About Protect the Flows:  Protect the Flows is a network of nearly 900 businesses in the 7 Colorado River Basin states and beyond.  Many members own and operate businesses in communities along the Colorado River and its tributaries in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Our members include Fortune 500 companies to rafting outfitters; wineries to restaurants to chambers of commerce. To learn more about protecting the Colorado River, please visit: www.ProtectFlows.com

More about Save the Colorado:  The Save The Colorado River Campaign is a coalition of progressive companies and foundations that support non-profit groups that are working to protect and restore the Colorado River and its tributaries.  Visit: www.SaveTheColorado.org

More about American Rivers:  American Rivers is the leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide. Visit www.AmericanRivers.org.

 

Back To Top
Search