New:  Resource Typing Guide 

 

CoWARN is a formalized system of "utilities helping utilities" designed to facilitate mutual aid during emergency situations. Its infrastructure includes a secure web-based event tracking system and a practical mutual aid agreement designed to reduce bureaucratic red tape.  Participation in any response is voluntary, and membership in CoWARN does not obligate members to offer aid.

CoWARN is NOT a for-profit organization or a government program.  It is a partnership between utilities, the state primacy agency, and utility professional organizations.  CoWARN's overhead is financed by the Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment; however, operational and procedural decisions are made by the utilities themselves.

CoWARN works with its various partners, linking the Colorado Water community to provide these resources and services:

  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Preparedness Aids - Tools and security protocols to aid in continual risk assessment and updating Emergency Response Plans.
  • Message Mapping - A series of updated boiler-plate public information and press release templates tailored to provide immediate public response.
  • Communications -
    • Annual statewide meetings to bring together both significant state authorities and national interests, providing the best and latest insights to power a utility's ongoing preparedness process. These meetings will include workshops in utilizing CoWARN to the best advantage.
    • Technologies to facilitate sharing of information between members. 
  • Outreach - Through cooperating entities, CoWARN will offer emergency preparedness and related regulatory liaison services to requesting members.
  • Exercises & Training

The CoWARN web site consists of the Public Pages and the Members Site. Access to the Members Site is granted only to utilities and industry support organizations approved by the membership. To become a member, please complete the Membership Application.  

CoWARN has 72 utility members, 11 non-utility members, and 37 signed mutual aid agreements. 

Map of CoWARN Member Utilities (Update in progress)

CoWARN would like to acknowledge the support of CEMA, the Colorado Emergency Management Association.  Please read the letter from CEMA.

 Our Mission  

To support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters
for public and private water and wastewater utilities for natural and human-caused events 

CoWARN is one of the many state WARNs that have been endorsed by these national organizations and their local counterparts: 

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA)

National Association of Water Companies (NAWC)

National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)

Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)

Water Environment Federation (WEF)

Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  

  

  

 

  

 

   
Letter from CEMA