Deb Daniel, general manager of the Republican River Water Conservation District received the
2024 Commissioner of Agriculture Agricultural Legacy Award at the Colorado State Fair.
Since 1986 the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado State Fair and History
Colorado have partnered to honor the state’s agricultural heritage.
The Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCD) was created by the Colorado
State Legislature in 2004 as a way of ensuring local involvement in the implementation of the
Centennial State’s compact with Kansas and Nebraska.
Designed to promote water conservation through voluntary participation and providing
financial incentives for reduced water consumption or retirement of water rights, the RRWCD
has been led by Deb Daniel since 2011.
While Daniel’s work is ongoing, she has already built a legacy of commitment to rural
communities, and displayed the courage to tackle big issues that impact the future of agriculture.
Daniel was recognized by the Commissioner of Agriculture for her determination to implement
the terms of Colorado’s interstate compact. She is helping lead Colorado and her community
through the realities of drier times with focus and compassion.
Her dedication to agriculture, unwavering commitment to its future, and her perseverance in the
face of a great social, economic, and environmental challenge honors the spirit of the
Agricultural Legacy Awards.
