State Affairs Committee

The 200+ member State Affairs Committee is a powerhouse of the Colorado Water Congress. The committee steers CWC's legislative efforts by presenting support or opposition to bills. The committee meets weekly at 8 a.m. every Monday during the Legislative Session. It reviews all water-related legislation and takes positions on bills for which it establishes two-thirds consensus.

The Colorado Water Congress' impressive legislation track record is a result of strong cooperation among legislators, water-related organizations, and water users who participate in this unique committee. The Chairpersons of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees, and several members of the State Legislature, regularly participate in committee meetings.

The Committee's success relies on continued collaboration among the diverse committee members representing all interests of the multi-faceted water industry.

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State Affairs Committee Leadership

John McClow, Chair

About John McClow

John McClow is general counsel for the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy. He is past President (2014) of the Colorado Water Congress, and is Vice-Chair of the State Affairs Committee. He serves on the Gunnison Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Water Conservation Board. He served 2013-2014 as Colorado’s Commissioner on the Upper Colorado River Commission, and Colorado’s representative to negotiations among the Colorado River Basin states, the United States, and Mexico. He represents Colorado in the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group.

Aaron Citron, Vice Chair

About Aaron Citron

Aaron Citron is the Natural Resources Policy Advisor and Interim External Affairs Director for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado. In these roles, he leads Conservancy's state legislative engagement with a focus on water rights and water policy issues. Aaron received his B.A. in history from Emory University and his J.D. from The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He was appointed by Governor Polis to the Interbasin Compact Committee in February 2019.

Ben Moline, Second Vice Chair

About Ben Moline

Ben Moline is the Director of Water Resources and Environmental Policy for Molson Coors Beverage Company (MCBC), located in Golden, Colorado, USA. In this position, he oversees the Water Rights portfolio along Clear Creek for MCBC with regards to legal protection of the water rights portfolio, environmental aspects of water quality, continued water deliveries to the brewery, and corporate responsibility. With regards to Environmental Policy, he helps to develop programs that are used globally to drive efficiency within each brewery and with legal and supply chain members in an effort to reduce the water and energy footprints of MCBC’ global network of breweries. Project also include development of renewable energy opportunities.

Ben also manages and oversees environmental projects, including Clear Creek water quality and reclamation of a coal mine for Coors Energy Company. He works extensively with federal, state and local environmental agencies to ensure compliance to regulations and betterment of the watershed.

Ben was the President of the Clear Creek Watershed Foundation, and organization focused on the clean-up and remediation of orphaned mines within the Clear Creek watershed. The foundation shut down due to major project goals being met. Ben is also the past-chair of the Upper Clear Creek Watershed Association, an organization comprised of water users along Clear Creek that is focused on nutrient loading, water quality, and monitoring of Clear Creek.

Outside of work, Ben is an avid biker, skier, and climber. He was also a volunteer Captain with the Golden Fire Department.

Prior to joining MCBC, Ben was a consulting engineer in the San Francisco Bay area and Denver. He holds Professional Engineer licenses in both Colorado and California. He went to school at the University of Iowa, College of Engineering majoring in Civil Engineering. While at Iowa, he was a teaching assistant for the Principles of Hydraulics class and laboratory at the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research Institute.

Ben grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River in Fort Madison, Iowa. This is where he started to develop his passion for water and environmental causes.

Dianna Orf, Lobbyist

About Dianna Orf

Dianna has represented clients at the State Capitol since 1980, representing clients in natural resources and energy, local government, and health care. Dianna is a daily presence at the Capitol and directs the firm’s lobbying activities. She has been associated with Orf & Orf, P.C. since she and Ted established the firm in 1986. Prior to moving to Colorado, she worked with trade associations in Washington, D.C.

Beth Van Vurst, Parliamentarian

About Beth Van Vurst