Pursuing Net Zero Water in Colorado: Navigating Water Law, Permitting & Infrastructure Constraints

Registration is required and only available to members. Active AIA member number required for RSVP.

Pursuing Net Zero Water in Colorado: Navigating Water Law, Permitting & Infrastructure Constraints

Join AIA Colorado's COTE on exploring the challenges and opportunities of pursuing Net Zero Water development in Colorado through a discussion of water rights, permitting requirements, and infrastructure constraints. Participants will gain insights from industry experts on lessons learned and practical strategies for advancing resilient, water-conscious projects that support public health, safety, and welfare.

SPEAKERS:

Magdiel Garcia

Magdiel Garcia, P.E. is a Senior Civil Water Project Manager with Merrick & Company and a licensed professional engineer with more than 10 years of experience in water resources engineering. His expertise includes river restoration, recreational whitewater design, hydraulic engineering, flood risk management, ecosystem enhancement, and municipal water infrastructure. He leads multidisciplinary teams through the planning, design, permitting, and construction of complex river and infrastructure projects across the United States. His work focuses on developing resilient, multi-benefit solutions that integrate engineering, environmental stewardship, recreation, public safety, and community needs.

Damian Higham

Damian Higham (pronounced “HI-um”) has his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Montana State and has 25 years of experience in the water sector. He leads Denver Water’s recycled water program. His duties include strategic and capital planning, regulatory development, permitting, policy development, customer marketing and compliance assurance. He is a past president of WateReuse Colorado and chair of the joint reuse committee of RMSAWWA/RMWEA.

Mark Mitisek, P.H.

Water Resources Professional | Spheros Environmental

Mark Mitisek is a water resources professional with more than 20 years of consulting experience specializing in water supply planning, water resources engineering, hydrologic modeling, and the development of advanced decision-support and water accounting systems. He has led a wide range of projects, from real-time flood forecasting and water rights evaluations to comprehensive water supply planning efforts for municipalities,special districts, and private clients. Mark currently manages Colorado’s first Regional Precipitation Harvesting

Pilot Study at Sterling Ranch, where he oversees the natural conditions monitoring program supporting the development of a large-scale precipitation harvesting water right and works closely with state agencies to advance the regulatory and operational framework for precipitation harvesting in Colorado. In addition to his technical expertise, Mark leads multidisciplinary water information technology teams that develop innovative

modeling tools, data management platforms, and digital solutions that enhance water resource planning, administration, and operational decision-making. Recognized for his collaborative leadership style, he combines engineering, data analytics, and technology to deliver practical, sustainable solutions to complex water management challenges.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 5th, Noon - 1pm MST

WHERE: Zoom (linked emailed prior to event)

EDUCATION: Session has been approved for 1 LU|HSW

Registration is required. RSVP window closes 1 hour prior to the start of the event.

The Zoom meeting link will be emailed 1 day before the event from an AIA Colorado staff member to the email address used to complete RSVP.

Registration is required and only available to members. Active AIA member number required to complete registration.

AIA Colorado Allied Members: Allied Members use "Allied2026" as member number and register using the email address in your Allied Member Directory listing to register for free.

AIAS students: use your .edu email address to register and type AIAS into the member number field.