Papers of Scott Hummer

Collection

Identifier: WBRB

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Papers of Scott Hummer consists of materials dated from 1885 to 2023, with the bulk falling from 1990 to 2011. The 500+ photographs show the Blue River and tributaries, reservoirs and tarns, headgates, flumes, spillways, dams, high-water events, snow, and surrounding mountains. Geographic locations within Colorado Water District 36 include the Blue River and sub-basins, Dillon Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, and the counties of Grand, Summit, and Lake. The oversize materials are primarily U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Forest Service maps along with some early township maps by the Surveyor General's Office. The maps focus on District 36 and neighboring areas but also include other places on Colorado's West Slope. Associated textual materials include files of Hummer's letters and thank-you notes, reference materials, and publications. Additional files document Hummer's time as the general manager of the North Poudre Irrigation Company and his participation in water education.

Dates

Creation: 1885-2023
Creation: Majority of material found within 1990 - 2011

Creator

Hummer, Scott (Person)

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Not all of the material in the collection is in the public domain. Researchers are responsible for addressing copyright issues.

Biography

Scott F. Hummer (b. 1959) worked in Colorado water resources administration and management for more than 30 years. During his career, he enforced water rights and inspected water diversion systems in multiple Colorado counties, with his longest position being as the first full-time water commissioner for the Blue River Basin.

Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Hummer graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in geography. Aiming for work in the public sector, he began a water-focused career in 1990 at the Colorado Division of Water Resources. He briefly served as deputy water commissioner for the Lower Colorado River before being assigned as water commissioner for the Blue River Basin (Water District 36). As the basin's first full-time water commissioner, Hummer created from scratch the framework for the day-to-day administration of local water rights.

Over the decades, the river system had become more complex with growing demands from Colorado's increasing population. This included the construction of Dillon Reservoir in the early 1960s, the addition of water rights for instream flows in 1979, and the increasing use of water for snowmaking by the ski industry. Hummer also faced challenges from the drought of 2002. The basin's high mountain position and connections to both the Colorado River and the Front Range make it one of the most complex and contentious basins in the state.

Because his position relied on building relationships, talking to the media, and working with residents and water professionals alike, Hummer became involved with water education. He started the annual Summit Water Forum and made frequent presentations to local elected officials, community groups, and school groups.

Moving on in 2011, Hummer became projects manager for the Colorado Water Trust until 2013. He worked as general manager of the North Poudre Irrigation Company from 2013 to 2017, beginning about a month after the 2013 floods devastated irrigation infrastructure and agricultural land across Northern Colorado. He returned to the Division of Water Resources as water commissioner for District 58 (Upper Yampa River) from 2017 to 2022, when he retired.

Hummer received the Water Commissioner of the Year award from the Colorado Division of Water Resources three times: 1996, 2006, and 2018. He also received recognition from the Department of Natural Resources in 1992 for "outstanding service and dedication to the Department of Natural Resources." He served on the board of the Blue River Watershed Group from 2012 to 2015. Hummer married Sally Roscoe in 1998 (d. 2008) and they had no children.

Extent

2.5+ linear feet (2 flat boxes, 3 document boxes, and 1 flat file)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Scott Hummer (b. 1959) worked in Colorado water resources administration and management for more than 30 years, with his longest position being as the first full-time water commissioner for the Blue River Basin (Water District 36). This collection primarily documents that work, emphasizing visual depictions of the Blue River, a tributary of the Colorado River. The collection includes photographs of the river and tributaries, reservoirs and tarns, headgates, diversion systems, high-water events, snow, and surrounding mountains. Also included are a set of topographic maps, a set of data sheets, and related textual documents. Geographic locations covered include the Blue River and sub-basins, Dillon Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, and the counties of Grand, Summit, and Lake. Additional files document Hummer's time as the general manager of the North Poudre Irrigation Company and his participation in water education.

Arrangement

The photographs arrived in no particular order and were arranged geographically from the Blue River's headwaters to its outlet at the Colorado River. Other materials are listed in no particular order.

The collection consists of 2 series in 2 flat boxes, 3 document boxes, and 1 flat file:

Series 1: Blue River Basin, 1885-1971, 1991-2011 and undated

Series 2: Additional files, 1987-2023 and undated

Acquisition

The Blue River Basin Collection was donated to the Water Resources Archive by Scott Hummer in January 2020. Hummer donated an additional item in July 2023. With the addition of more materials later that month on multiple subject areas, the collection title was changed.

Related Collections

Important related collections include the Ival V. Goslin Water Resources Collection which includes feasibility studies on the Blue River, the Photographs of Bill Green which includes photographs of the Dillon and Green Mountain reservoirs, and the Records of the North Poudre Irrigation Company, where Hummer worked as general manager when the collection was donated.

Processing

Initial processing was completed in March 2023. The collection arrived in no particular order and was arranged to be in three categories of photographs with the binder of maps at the end. Photographic materials, including negative strips, were sleeved and rehoused in archival photo boxes. Based on the condition of any original labelling, these were either transcribed or photocopied and included with their accompanying materials. Unidentified negatives and duplicate prints in excess of two were removed. Other duplicates were sleeved together. Additional files were added in September 2023 with minimal processing. All flash drives but one were returned to the donor.

Inventory Note

Note: Title information supplied by the collection donor is in quotation marks. Title information supplied by the archivist is bracketed. Estimated pagination is preceded by an "e."