Jim Loftis’ research areas were environmental statistics, design of environmetnal monitoring programs, and nonpoint source pollution. His research sponsors have included the National Park Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Agriculture, teh US Geological Survey, the US National Science Foundation, and IBM Corporation.  Other activities have included the design of a water quality monitoring network for the Big Thompson Watershed Forum, statistical evaluation of reservoir monitoring data for several cities along the Colorado Front Range, and development of modeling and monitoring approaches for managing selenium contamination in the Gunnison River Basin.

Dr. Loftis taught 20 different courses at Colorado State University, focusing on water and the environment in courses such as Environmentla Statistics and Nonpoint Pollution. To serve the professional community, he taught short courses in Water Quality Monitoring Network Design and Environmental Statistics in the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Dr. Loftis has long been an active player in Colorado Water issues through applied research, outreach, and participation in water organizations such as the American Water Resources Association, Colorado Lake and Reservoir Management Association, and Big Thompson Watershed Forum. He has recently organized the Front Range Drinking Water Consortium to facilitate information exchange among university researchers and Colorado Front Range water providers.

Education

• B.S. 1974, Oklahoma State University – Agricultural Engineering
• M.S. 1976, Colorado State University – Agricultural Engineering
• Ph.D. 1978, Colorado State University – Agricultural Engineering