Hope Bartlett

A smiling woman stands on a river bank with vegetation in the background.

Hope Bartlett - Water Conservation Specialist at the City of Longmont

I am the Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Longmont. I manage and implement the indoor and outdoor water conservation programs for Longmont community members and work across departments in the city to align water efficiency with broader sustainability, equity, and land-use goals. My job also involves coordinating data collection, efficiency measurements, and interacting with the state for annual reporting and collaboration, while also leading community education efforts and partnerships with other local water and sustainability organizations. I’ve always loved art—whether it’s admiring it, studying it, curating pieces for my home, or creating something special during arts and crafts time with my daughter.

Going to College—Twice!

Growing up in southwestern Colorado, I grew up feeling connected to nature and water. After moving to Denver to get my degree in business, I’d walk along the Cherry Creek path to feel close to water, and closer to home. After college, I got a job as an office manager where I went to school at Metropolitan State University of Denver. I felt unfulfilled there, so I decided to go back to school and get second bachelor’s degree in sustainable systems consulting.

Resource Conservation—from Waste to Water

I knew I wanted to go into sustainability, but taking a water resources class solidified my interest in water management specifically – between water law, resource scarcity, and its importance in nearly every aspect of life, it became clear to me just how much water touches all aspects of sustainability. I was working in waste diversion education with Eco-Cycle, but this class switched my focus. I started meeting with people with interesting careers and met with the director of the MSU Denver’s One World One Water Center, where I then worked for 3 years.

Finding Community

Growing up in small town, community is really important to me. I wanted my next role to prioritize providing service to my own community. After moving to Longmont, I started volunteering with the city’s Equitable Climate Action Team to give back and meet new people. While volunteering, I heard that a Water Conservation Specialist job was opening at the city. I applied and was hired into the role where I get to work with my community, work with water, and continue in the education space.

City-Wide Water Efficiency

The city should be a model for what we want community members to do on their property: use smart watering schedules, have efficient fixtures, and practice waterwise gardening methods. I work with the planning department on landscape design code updates so that our land use planning and water efficiency standards are not just up to date but go above and beyond when we can. I also collaborate with the city’s facilities and maintenance department to measure our city buildings water use and strategize for efficiency upgrades.

Education and Outreach

This is my favorite part of my job, where I get out in the community. I create content for social media, plan and attend events, and give presentations on water to neighborhoods and community members.

Rebate and Discount Programs

The city provides a variety of rebate and discount programs to support community members in adopting water conservation practices. I keep up to date with the best products on the market, approve rebate requests, and work to make our programs are equitable and accessible.

A slow moving river surrounded by colorful green and yellow vegetation.

My Why

You can see water everywhere you look in Longmont, and I can see the impact I am making every day. I’ve always been pulled towards education, and now that I’ve found my passion I want to share what I know and why I care with my community. I love being able to serve and connect with the community I live in.

My Advice

You don’t have to have it all figured out right out of school. I felt really pressured to start a career right out of college and saw firsthand that most career paths aren’t linear. It’s important to take chances and take steps to explore the job you want – network with professionals, do informational interviews with people who have a job you think you might want, and seek out opportunities.