The Capture the Cache Exhibition is expanding to all forms of art! We will be accepting submissions of photographs and artwork celebrating the natural beauty, culture, and heritage of the 45-mile Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area.

The submission portal will be open from Monday, March 3, 2025, to Sunday, May 4, 2025. Participants will submit their photographs and/or artwork to three different categories: agriculture, community, and weather. Entrants may submit up to three pieces per category for consideration. Maximum entry is nine pieces per photographer/artist on one Entry Form. From those submissions, a number of pieces (up to 30; approximately 70% photography and 30% artwork) will be selected for the Capture the Cache Exhibition, a juried art show. 

The Capture the Cache Exhibition is a juried art show that supports the artist communities along our river corridor. The art pieces displayed at the event will be chosen from the submissions and a jury will select awardees. Participating artists and show winners will be celebrated during a ticketed Opening Reception.
 

Eligibility - Submission is open to any amateur or professional photographer or artist except Cache NHA employees and board members, jurors and members of their immediate families. Entrants must be at least 16 years of age to participate. The competition is open to residents and visitors alike.

Categories - 

• Agriculture - This category could include, but is not limited to, agricultural landscapes, equipment, history of agriculture, farm animals, farmers, farmers markets, produce, and farm tours.
• Community - This category could include, but is not limited to, community events, pets, pet friendly places, gatherings, and recreation (biking, rafting, hiking, etc).
• Weather - This category could include sunrise/sunset, lightening, clouds, rain, and much more.

Eligibility - Submission is open to any amateur or professional photographer or artist except Cache NHA employees and board members, jurors and members of their immediate families. Entrants must be at least 16 years of age to participate. The competition is open to residents and visitors alike.

Artwork Specifications - 

• Photography and artwork submitted must align with one or more of the following categories: agriculture, community, and weather.
• Photography must be taken within the boundaries of Cache NHA, and artwork must be inspired by the nature, culture, and heritage of Cache NHA. There is some flexibility (at the discretion of Cache NHA) if the photo was taken in one of the surrounding communities, which include Bellvue, Laporte, Fort Collins, Timnath, Windsor and Greeley.
• We welcome artwork in any medium including painting, glass, pottery, textiles, drawing, printmaking, digital art, mixed media, etc.
• Photography taken with drones must follow applicable local ordinances and FFA guidelines.

Submission Guidelines - 

• Submissions must be made digitally through our designated platform by May 2, 2025. 
• Each submission must be labeled FirstName_LastName_Category_SubmissionNumber. For example, John_Smith_Agriculture_1
• Each submission must be accompanied by a title and medium.
• Photographs and artwork must both be submitted digitally, either the original photographs or photographs of the artwork. Images can be in color or black and white. Images must be a minimum resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) and no smaller than 3072 x 2304 pixels (or 10.24 x 7.68 inches). Images should be in RGB color format and be submitted as JPG (at high quality) or PNG. Do not resample small files to fit requirements, as it will compromise the quality of the image. Images can be horizontal or vertical.
• Each photographer or artist may submit up to three pieces per category for consideration. Maximum entry is nine submissions per photographer/artist. All pieces will be submitted on one Entry Form.
• Each photograph must specify the location within the Cache NHA the photograph was taken.
• Each piece of artwork will include its dimensions, briefly describe how the piece is inspired by the nature, culture, and heritage of Cache NHA, and include a commission price of $25-$100 of the artist’s choosing.

Submission Fees and Commission - 

• Entry fee $0
• Photographers will receive a $25 commission for each image selected for exhibition.
• Artists will receive a commission for each piece selected for exhibition based on the commission price listed in the submission.
• The photography and artwork included in the exhibition will be available for sale during the exhibition. Sales and unsold pieces will be retained by the organization in charge of the event.

Notification of Acceptance -

• Photographers and artists whose work is selected for the exhibition will be notified via email by May 16.
• Each photographer and artist whose work has been selected for the exhibition will receive an invitation to an opening reception.

Jury Process -

• Cache NHA will select photographs and artwork to be included in the exhibition at its sole discretion.
• A panel of jurors will award first, second, and third place for each category (agriculture, community, and weather) as well as an overall Best of Show. Awards will be in the form of a ribbon and/or certificate. All award decisions will be final.

Delivery and Return of Artwork - Accepted artworks must be securely packed and delivered ready for installation. The artist is responsible for the timely delivery of artwork to the venue. Cache NHA will be responsible for the printing and display of photographs on exhibit. All items will have received a commission and will not be returned at the conclusion of the exhibit.
 

Terms - Each photographer/ artist will retain all rights to any image submitted – including ownership if applicable – other than those rights licensed in the next sentence. By entering the contest, each photographer hereby grants to the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (i) a nonexclusive, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, sell reproductions, distribute, publicly display the images submitted to the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area and (ii) the right to use the photographer’s/artists name, city and state of residence in promotions and other publications. Photographs and artwork, regardless of the medium, will not be returned. The winning images with appropriate credit will appear on the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area website, social media channels and upcoming printed materials.

Photos containing recognizable people/faces of individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a model release form (available in the Entry Form) singed by the subject or a parent or legal guardian.

Submission to this call for entry constitutes acceptance of all the artist requirements and terms outlined above.
 

Participation Notice: Submission into the contest does not guarantee you selection for the Exhibition or commission. Commission will only be provided to pieces selected for the Exhibition. Cache NHA will select photographs and artwork to be included in the exhibition at its sole discretion.

Participation Notice: Submissions that do not follow these requirements may be rejected.

Program Overview
Started in 2010, Learning in Our Watershed™ (LIOW) was designed with a simple mission: to help youth understand and value the Cache la Poudre River and their water heritage while inspiring a next generation of river stewards. A growing body of research points to the beneficial impacts that nature has on health, well-being, and the promotion of healing. LIOW is designed to take learning from the classroom to the great outdoors for improved well-being while developing a of a sense of connection to nature, history,  and the heritage area. Designed by educators to align with the 4th grade Colorado education standards, students experience the following lesson objectives:
  • Connect students to their river corridor
  • Immerse students in their local heritage, cultures, and landscapes
  • Help students develop critical thinking skills including interpreting maps and signs
  • Encourage students to reflect on human-environment interactions within their watershed region
Learning in Our Watershed™ is an adaptable three-touch model with hybrid options for on-site and distance learning, designed to create pathways for kids to enjoy, understand and connect with nature and history in exciting ways by facilitating outdoor activity, experiential learning, and cultural heritage exercises. Teachers can self-select from a variety of activities in each of the three touch points to customize a field trip specific to their learning objectives and subject matter.
Funding for LIOW is made possible by the National Parks Foundation, National Parks Service, and donations from community sponsors and donors.  
 

Eligibility
All K-12 schools that are located in Northern Colorado qualify to submit an application to the Learning in Our Watershed program.  Priority will be given to Title 1 schools and 4th grade classes per grant requirements for the largest funder of this program. Additional requests from schools from areas beyond NOCO will be considered as funding allows. 

Field trip destinations must be within the Cache NHA boundaries.  A list of pre-approved destinations includes the Centennial Village, CSU's Environmental Learning Center, the Poudre Learning Center, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Windsor History Museum, and Colorado Youth Outdoors.   Other destinations may be approved based on funding and how the destination ties to the mission of the program.
Funding typically covers costs associated with transportation and/or admission.

If you have questions regarding your school's eligibility or your field trip destination please contact the Heritage Interpreter (interpretation@poudreheritage.org).
 

Requirements
 Upon completion of the field trip, awardees must complete a post trip report, provide receipts or invoices, and provide at least one photo from the trip.  A photo release form is available for parent/guardian to fill out prior to your trip.  Grant funds will be distributed to the school AFTER the field trip and post trip report are completed.  

Community Projects- Our goal is to honor the history and culture of the Cache la Poudre River and its people. The Community Projects program supports the preservation, interpretation, and development of the heritage area resources. The community projects grant guidelines can be found here.
The project must:
 

•  preserve, interpret, or develop historical and/or cultural assets within/for the heritage area
•  be aligned with one or more interpretive themes identified below
•  secure at least equal contribution for the project from nonfederal sources
•  be for public benefit
•  be available for use and/or distribution by Cache NHA at the conclusion of the project (Interpretation & Development projects)

Original Themes:

1. Settlement in the Cache la Poudre river basin highlighted tensions over use of water

2. Water laws, institutions, and allocation methods influenced the development of the American West

3. Innovative irrigation techniques for diverting, delivering, and measuring water still endure

4. Debates over the appropriate use of the Poudre River's water continue today

New Interpretive Themes

1. Homelands: Northern Colorado is the ancestral homeland of the Ute and later the Arapaho people, as well as other historic tribes such as the Cheyene, Comanche, Apache, and Kiowa. Indigenous understanding of the environment and of native plants and animals offers a different way of knowing the Poudre. 

2. Ancient Voices: People have been drawn to the life-sustaining waters of the river for over 12,000 years. Before it was known as the Poudre, Paleoindians and Folsom people called this river basin home. The Kaplan-Hoover Bison Kill Site - one of the largest bison kill sites ever found - provides a compelling local story. 

3. New Roots: Germans, Russians, Hispanics, African Americans and others settled in the Poudre River basin to farm or work in the sugar beet factories and fields, establishing communities and bringing new cultural and religious traditions.

4. Following the Water: Fur trappers and traders, including diverse people of many cultures who traveled with them, hunted beaver and game animals along the Poudre’s banks, leaving behind their multicultural stories and legacy.

5. Rethinking Colorado Water Law: Early disagreements over the Poudre River led to the establishment of Western water law and the notion of “First in Time, First in Right.” As demand on the Poudre increases—combined with a hotter, drier climate—it is time to rethink this historical precedent.

6. Collaboration & Compromise: Water from the Poudre ends up in Northern Colorado’s taps, produce, beer, and more. Animals, plants, and competing interests share the river today. In addition to agricultural and industrial use, the Poudre offers a place of recreation, reflection, and observation. Collaboration and compromise ensure the Poudre’s health and a sustainable quality of life and future for Northern Colorado.

7: River of Life: Colorado’s rivers comprise less than 2% of the state’s ecosystems but the majority of Colorado’s birds, fish and wildlife depend on riparian habitat. The Poudre River watershed is key to the ecological health of Northern Colorado and is critical for biodiversity.

Letter of Intent
 All applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent through the application portal prior to completing a full application so Cache NHA can learn more about your proposed projects.  Staff may request a meeting to learn more about your proposed project or provide additional guidance for the application. Projects are subject to decline at this step in the processes or may go on hold until additional funding can be secured. Proposed projects that move beyond the letter of intent stage will be sent the full application for completion.