When Colorado Ocean Coalition (COCO) founder Vicki Nichols Goldstein came up with the idea for Making WAVES in Colorado – an ocean lovers’ conference held annually in landlocked Boulder, CO – she never dreamt that waves would literally come crashing on her doorstep. But as nearly Biblical flooding ravaged Boulder County just days before last weekend’s conference and destroyed countless properties including her own carpeted basement, the irony of the disaster became all too apparent. “I love Making WAVES in Colorado, but this is a bit much!” Goldstein posted on Facebook in the midst of FEMA visits and last-minute preparations for the conference, which went on as scheduled.
Despite news of the disaster, ocean leaders and enthusiasts from across the country and abroad gathered at the University of Colorado campus for a weekend full of delightful and informative talks, activities, social events and films.…