Denver Water — Gross Reservoir Expansion

Denver Water provides water to 1.5 million residents in Denver and its surrounding suburbs. The district is underway on the expansion of Gross Reservoir, raising its dam by 131 feet to triple the reservoir's capacity and provide essential water flexibility and resiliency in the face of increasing impacts from climate change.

Sigler supports Denver Water on stakeholder engagement, issues management and project communications for the largest infrastructure investment in its history. The expansion of Gross Reservoir involves extensive stakeholder outreach and strategic communications planning. The communications program addresses concerns and minimizes disruption while educating and informing stakeholders including property owners, recreationalists, Boulder County and the community who will benefit from the project. Sigler helped develop the strategic communications plans and support implementation through stakeholder outreach, media relations, social media, community presentations and digital communications.

Sigler assists the water utility with public outreach and education — both in Boulder County and Denver Water's service area — to provide fact-based information on the project. Sigler has pitched and secured presentations with more than 80 organizations and placed 25 articles used in organizations' eNewsletters, educating stakeholders on the purpose, need and benefits of the project and building a base of allies to speak in favor of the project.

Once the facts are presented on the purpose, need and benefits of the project — especially to Boulder County organizations including chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, civic organizations, environmental sustainability committees and trade organizations — opinions consistently shift from non-support to a support or neutral position. The project started construction in April 2022.