State honors Entz for water education

DENVER — Former State Senator Lewis H. Entz was honored with the Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) President’s Award in special ceremonies April 20 at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion.

The ceremonies were part of the CFWE’s 10th anniversary celebration, and Entz was honored as one of the founders, along with State Rep. Diane Hoppe.

In January, Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed 2012 to be the Year of Water in Colorado.

Ten years ago, at the onset of the 2002 drought, then-Sen. Entz co-sponsored legislation that established a non-profit statewide water education program for the purpose of promoting a “better understanding of water issues through educational opportunities and resources so Colorado citizens will understand water as a limited resource and will make informed decisions.”

Entz served as a member of CFWE’s original board of trustees, helping develop outstanding programs such as the Citizen’s Guide series, Headwaters magazine and river basin tours. He served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998 and in the Senate from 2001 to 2006.

At various times, he chaired the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee.