Past Projects

Recreational Water Rights and Policy Change in Colorado

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:15:19 +0000

Recreational Water Rights and Policy Change in Colorado Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/10/2016 - 11:15

Research on the process of policy change often involves a direct or indirect analysis of the roles of policy entrepreneurs and the mass media. In Colorado, beginning in 1998, twelve communities decided to obtain water rights for recreational in-channel purposes such as kayaking and whitewater rafting. These water rights stirred political controversy within some communities in Colorado related to spending public monies, appropriate uses of water, and the role of recreation in local economies. A multi-methods cross-case research design was used to examine the policy process within 18 Colorado communities. This project includes analyses of media influence, expert and citizen involvement, and the role of these factors in promoting awareness about recreational water rights as well as policy change in this policy venue.

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Conservation and Conflict in Policymaking

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:14:51 +0000

Conservation and Conflict in Policymaking Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/10/2016 - 11:14

Based on previous research, it is evident that stakeholders involved in Colorado water policy may define the word ‘conservation’ differently. The two potential definitions of this word carry vastly different connotations for policy outcomes: one promotes using less water while the other promotes diverting more water. It is, therefore, important to understand whether these definitions are pervasive throughout the water community in Colorado and whether there are demographic differences in who uses the different definitions. This research will also attempt to understand whether participants in one important stakeholder negotiation process in Colorado have actually encountered any difficulties with policy discussion groups based upon differing interpretations of the word ‘conservation’.

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Local News and Environmental Reporting in Colorado

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:13:28 +0000

Local News and Environmental Reporting in Colorado Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/10/2016 - 11:13

The new reality of local environmental reporting involves reduced resources, staffing, and training for journalists who are expected to cover environmental issues. At the same time, large segments of the American population are uninformed about policy issues that affect their lives and their communities. This dichotomy sets up a conflict between the journalistic resources that a democracy cannot afford to lose and those that media outlets cannot afford to provide. This also calls into question the training of journalists and the needs of future journalists. The new expectations of journalists not only include an expanded ability to fill the role of expert reporters, but also the ability to provide coverage in a multimedia environment, which is not among the core competencies of traditional local media outlets. This study surveyed Colorado journalists across media platforms to better understand the conditions under which they report on environmental topics and the preparation and training that they’ve had.

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