Matt Sares

Sares, M.A., 2019, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2019, Colorado Division of Water Resources.
https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=3446038&dbid=0

Sares, M.A, 2018, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2018, Colorado Division of Water Resources. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=3244940&dbid=0

Sares, M.A., 2017, Nontributary Groundwater In Colorado: Its Definition, Determination, And Case Studies; 2017 Groundwater 101 Update Short Course, Water Court Practice Program – Technical and Engineering Program Series, Colorado Bar Association Continuing Legal Education.

Topper, Ralf, Meyer, C.D., Haworth, M., Donegan, K.C., Banks, H., Bandler, A., Flor, A., and Sares, M.A., 2017, The Upper Pierre Aquifer of the Cheyenne Basin, Northeastern Colorado, Geologic Cross Sections, Colorado Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Denver, CO, WRI 2017-1a, 11 plates. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/0/edoc/3207851/DWR_3207851.zip?searchid=8323ca05-41cc-4fd0-be90-ff9a7386713a

Sares, M.A., 2017, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2017, Colorado Division of Water Resources. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=3071013&dbid=0

Sares, M.A. and Flor, Andrew, 2016, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2016, Colorado Division of Water Resources. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=2907874&dbid=0

Sares, M.A. and Flor, Andrew, 2015, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2015, Colorado Division of Water Resources. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=2832644&dbid=0

Sares, M.A. and Donegan, K.C., 2014, Groundwater levels in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground Water Basin 2014, Colorado Division of Water Resources. https://dnrweblink.state.co.us/dwr/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=2769962&dbid=0

Horn, Andrew, Sares, M.A., Brown, Chris, and Haworth, Marshall, 2013, South Platte Alluvial Aquifer Response to the September 2013 Colorado Flood Event (abs.), Late Breaking Session: The 2013 Colorado Flood Event—A Perfect Storm Hits a Dynamic Landscape, Causes, Processes, and Effects, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 45, No. 7.

Sares, M.A., Kurtz, J.P., Bove, D.J., and Neubert, J.T., 2013, Exploring Areas of Natural Acid Rock Drainage in Colorado (abs.): in Proceedings, American Institute of Professional Geologists 50^th Annual Conference, October 23-26, 2013, Broomfield, Colorado.

Sares, M.A., Phillips, R.C., John T. Neubert, Robert H Wood II, Jonathan R. Lovekin, Robert M. Kirkham, Robert G. Benson, et al., 2020, U.S. Forest Service Abandoned Mine Land Inventory Project – Colorado (Data), ON-008-04 (online publication). Golden, Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey, August 20, 2020.
https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/publications/colorado-usfs-aml-data/

Neubert, J.T., Kurtz, J.P., Bove, D.J., Bird, D.A., and Sares, M.A., 2011, Natural acid rock drainage associated with hydrothermally altered terrane in Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey Bulletin 54.

Morgan, Paul, and Sares, M.A., 2011, New Horizons for Geothermal Energy in Sedimentary Basins in Colorado:  in Proceedings, AAPG 2011 Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 10-13, 2011, Houston, Texas.
http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2011/80177morgan/ndx_morgan.pdf

Morgan, Paul, and Sares, Matthew, 2010, Engineering Geothermal Systems in Sedimentary Basins: Examples of Potential in Colorado: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 5, p. 379.

Morgan, Paul, Barkmann, Peter, Kluth, Charles, and Sares, Matthew, 2010, Prospects for Electricity Generation in the San Luis Basin, Colorado, USA: Geothermal Resource Council Transactions, v. 34, pp. 615-620.

Oerter, E.J., and Sares, M.A., 2010, Geothermometry of Warm Springs in the Rico Area, Colorado: Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, v. 34, pp. 647-651.

Morgan, Paul, and Sares, Matt, 2010, Geothermal Opportunities in Sedimentary Basins in Colorado (abs.): Geothermal in the Oil Field Symposium, August 18-19, 2010, Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center, Casper, Wyoming.

Morgan, Paul., and Sares, Matt, 2009, Using Bottom-Hole-Temperatures from Oil and Gas Wells to Evaluate the Geothermal Potential of Hydrocarbon Basins in Colorado, (abs.): Geothermal Energy Utilization Associated with Oil & Gas Development Conference, November 3 - 4, 2009, Southern Methodist University. https://www.smu.edu/-/media/site/dedman/academics/programs/geothermal-lab/conference/pastpresentations/2009/morgan_abstract_09.pdf

Morgan, Paul, and Sares, Matt, 2009, Strain partitioning in synthetic accommodation zones and selected geothermal systems in Colorado: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v.41, no. 7, p. 50. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2009AM/webprogram/Paper167074.html

Sares, M.A., Berkman, F.E., Watterson, N.A., 2009, Statewide geothermal resource mapping in Colorado: Geothermal Resources Council, Transactions, v. 33. pp. 979-984.

Sares, M.A., Morgan, Paul, Grauch, V.J.S., 2009, Geothermal resources of Colorado and the potential for electrical power generation, (abs.): in Proceedings, AAPG 2009 Annual Convention and Exhibition, June 7-10, 2009 Denver, Colorado.
https://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2009/80069sares/ndx_sares.pdf

Morgan, Paul, Sares, Matt, and Dechesne, Marieke, 2009, Stratigraphic Control of Temperatures in the Wattenberg Field, Denver Basin, Colorado, (abs.): in Proceedings, AAPG 2009 Annual Convention and Exhibition, June 7-10, 2009 Denver, Colorado.
http://www.searchanddiscovery.net/documents/2009/80066morgan/ndx_morgan.pdf

Coulter, D.W., Hauff, P.L., Sares, M.A., Bird, D.A., Peters, D.C., Henderson F.B. III, 2009, Chapter 10 - Hyperspectral remote sensing of a mineralized system in the Grizzly Peak Caldera, Colorado: Implications for exploration and acid drainage baselines, in Bedell, Richard and others, eds., Remote Sensing and Spectral Geology, Reviews in Economic Geology, v. 16: Littleton, Colorado, Society of Economic Geologists, p. 123–134.

Sares, M.A., 2007, Chapter 1.0 - Statewide geothermal resource overview, in Colorado Geothermal Development Strategic Plan: GeoPowering the West Colorado State Working Group, eds.: Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, Denver, Colorado, p. 7-18 https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/publications/geothermal-development-strategic-plan-colorado/

Hauff, Phoebe L., Peters, Douglas, Coulter, David, Sares, Matthew, Bird, David, Henderson, Fredrick, 2007, Mapping and Monitoring Acid Drainage Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology: presented at 32nd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, Sustainable Development Through Global Earth Observations, June 25 - 29, 2007, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Bird, D.A., M.A. Sares, G.A. Policky, T.S. Schmidt, and S.E. Church, 2006, Impacts on Water Quality and Biota from Natural Acid Rock Drainage in Colorado’s Lake Creek Watershed, in Barnhisel, Richard I., ed., Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, St. Louis, Missouri, March 26-29, 2006:  American Society of Mining and Reclamation, p. 158-186. (1 CD-ROM)

Hauff, P.L., D.C. Peters, D.W. Coulter, M.A. Sares, D.A. Bird, F.B. Henderson III, and E.C. Prosh, 2006, Hyperspectral Sensing of Acid Mine Drainage – Two Colorado Case Studies, in Barnhisel, Richard I., ed., Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, St. Louis, Missouri, March 26-29, 2006:  American Society of Mining and Reclamation, p. 738-763 (1 CD-ROM)

Sares, M.A., J.P. Kurtz, D.J. Bove, and J. Neubert, 2006, Natural Acid Rock Drainage Associated with Hydrothermally Altered Terrane in Colorado, in Barnhisel, Richard I., ed., Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, St. Louis, Missouri, March 26-29, 2006:  American Society of Mining and Reclamation, p. 1844-1849. (1 CD-ROM)

Bird, D.A., Sares, M.A., Peters, D.C., Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2005, Naturally occurring acid rock drainage in Colorado’s Lake Creek watershed: Proceedings of the 2005 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, June 18-25, 2005, Breckenridge, Colorado.

Hauff, P.L., Peters, D.C., Sares, M.A., Coulter, D.W., Bird, D.A.., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2005, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing – An Effective Tool for Mapping Acid Rock Drainage and Mine Tailings in Colorado, in Proceedings of the 2005 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, June 18-25, 2005:  American Society of Mining and Reclamation. (1 CD-ROM)

Sares, M.A., Hauff, P.L., Bird, D.A., Peters, D.C., Coulter, D.W., Henderson, F.B. III, and Prosh, E.C., 2004, Characterizing sources of acid rock drainage and resulting water quality impacts using hyperspectral remote sensing – examples from the upper Arkansas River basin, Colorado: in Proceedings for the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Geospatial Conference 2004 – Advanced Integration of Geospatial Technologies in Mining and Reclamation, December 7-9, 2004, Atlanta, Georgia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236324295_Characterizing_Sources_of_Acid_Rock_Drainage_and_Resulting_Water_Quality_Impacts_Using_Hyperspectral_Remote_Sensing_-_Examples_from_the_Upper_Arkansas_River_Basin_Colorado

Peters, D.C., Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., Sares, M.A., Bird, D.A., Henderson, F.B. III, and Prosh, E.C.,  2004, Phase 2 results for use of hyperspectral remote sensing for evaluation of naturally and anthropogenically impacted drainage in the upper Arkansas River watershed, in Tailings & Mine Waste '04:  Rotterdam, Balkema, p. 261-265.

Henderson, F.B. III, Bird, D.A., Coulter, D.W., Hauff, P.L., Peters, D.C., Prosh, E.C., and Sares, M.A., 2004, Measuring and Monitoring Acid Rock Drainage Water Quality with Spectral Data: Abstract, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division (AAAS-SWARM) 79th Annual Meeting, April 7-10, 2004, Denver, CO

Peters, D.C., Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., Sares, M.A., Prosh, E.C., Bird, D.A., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2004, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Identification and Monitoring of Acid Rock Drainage in Central Colorado: Abstract, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Annual Conference, May 23-28, 2004 Denver, CO.

Peters, D.C., Bird, D.A., Hauff, P.L., Sares, M.A., Coulter, D.W., Prosh, E.C., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2004, Assessment of water quality in a watershed impacted by natural ARD using mineralogy and remote sensing, (abs.): in Proceedings of the 2004 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and the 25th West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force, April 18-24, 2004, Morgantown, West Virginia; ASMR, Lexington, Kentucky.

Topper, Ralf, Barkmann, P.E., Bird, D.A., Sares, M.A., 2004, Artificial recharge of ground water in Colorado – a statewide assessment: Colorado Geological Survey Environmental Geology Series 13, 94 p.

Hauff, P.L., Sares, M.A., Peters, D.C., Coulter, D.W., Bird, D.A., Prosh, E.C., Henderson, F.B. III, 2004, Hyperspectral remote sensing analysis for ARD in central Colorado: Abstract, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) 2004 Annual Meeting, February 23-25, 2004, Denver, CO.

Bird, D. A., Sares, M.A., Hauff, P.L., Peters, D.C., Henderson, F.B. III, King, Karmen, 2004, Aqueous mobility of metals released from a hydrothermally altered terrain: Case study in the Lake Creek watershed, Colorado: Abstract, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Annual Meeting, February 23-25, 2004, Denver, CO.

Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., Peters, D.C., Bird, David, Sares, M.A., Prosh, E.C., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2003, Using hyperspectral remote sensing technology to map and evaluate the impact of natural Acid drainage on water quality, (abs.) – ISRSE – November 10-14, 2003, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., Sares, M.A., Peters, D.C., Bird, David, Prosh, E.C., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2003, Evaluating the impact of natural acid drainage on Colorado watersheds using hyperspectral remote sensing, in Proceedings for the 10th Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste, October 12-15, 2003 Vail, Colorado: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Bird, D.A., Hauff, P.L., Henderson, F.B. III, Peters, D.C., Sares, M.A., 2003, Seasonal variation of water chemistry and metals mobility in a watershed affected by acid rock drainage: Case study in the Lake Creek watershed, Colorado, in Proceedings for the 10th Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste, October 12-15, 2003 Vail, Colorado: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Kirkham, R.M., White, J.L., Sares, M.A., Mock, R.G., and Lidke, D.J., 2003, Engineering and environmental aspects of evaporite karst in west-central Colorado, in Johnson, K. S., and Neal, J. T., eds., Evaporite karst and engineering/environmental problems in the United States: Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 109, p. 279-292.

Hauff, P.L., Bird, David, Peters, D.C., Coulter, D.W., Prosh, E.C., Sares, M.A., and Henderson, F.B. III, 2003, Iron Oxyhydroxide Minerals as pH Indicators in the Exploration for Precious Metals: (abs.), 1st International Geochemical Exploration Symposium – Dublin, Ireland, August 29th – September 3rd, 2003.

Hauff, P.L., Peters, D.C., Sares, M.A., Bird, David, Henderson, F.B. III, Prosh, E.C., and Coulter, D.W., 2003, Phase I Results from Ground and Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Acidic Drainage, (abs.), 6th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage (6th ICARD), July 12-18, 2003, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Hauff, P.L., Coulter, D.W., Peters, D.C., Sares, M.A., Prosh, E.C., Henderson, F.B. III, and Bird, David, 2003, Using AVIRIS in the NASA BAA project to evaluate the impact of natural acid drainage on Colorado watersheds, AVIRIS workshop 2003, February 25-28, 2003, Pasadena, California: Jet Propulsion Laboratory [CD-ROM].

Hauff, P.L., Peters, D.C., Coulter, D.W., Sares, M.A., Bird, David, Henderson, F.B. III, Prosh, E.C., 2003, Identifying and tracking ARD Mineralogy with Hyperspectral remote sensing, (abs.), “Metals in the Environment” Oral Session at the GAC/MAC/SEG Vancouver, May, 2003 Conference.

Peters, D.C., Hauff, P.L., Sares, M.A., Henderson, F.B. III, Bird D.A., Prosh E.C., and Peppin W.A., 2003, Preliminary results of a NASA-funded hyperspectral remote sensing project on natural and anthropogenic sources of impacted drainage: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Preprint 03-090, 5 p.

Sares, M.A., Hauff, P.L., Bird, David, Peters, D.C., Henderson, F.B. III, Prosh, E.C., Peppin, W.A, and King, Karmen, 2002, Characterization of acidic drainage through ground and hyperspectral remote sensing (abs.), Paper No. 127-13: Geological Society of America 2002 Annual Meeting, October 27-30, 2002, Denver, Colorado.

Kirkham, R.M., White, J.L., and Sares, M.A., 2002, Environmental and engineering aspects of evaporite tectonism, west-central Colorado, (abs.), Paper No. 93-2: Geological Society of America 2002 Annual Meeting, October 27-30, 2002, Denver, Colorado.

Sares, M.A., Gusey, D.L., and Neubert, J.T., 2000, Abandoned mines and naturally occurring acid rock drainage on National Forest System lands in Colorado, in ICARD 2000: Proceedings from the Fifth International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Denver, Colo., 2000: Littleton, Colo., Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, p. 1361-1369.

Weber, G.R., and Sares, M.A., 1999, Directory of Colorado Water Quality Data, Colorado Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-9, 151 p.

Zook, J.M., and Sares, M.A., 1999, Colorado water quality database – from the EPA STORET database, Colorado Geological Survey Information Series 48, Compact Disc.

Kirkham, R.M., Zook, J.M., and Sares, M.A., 1999, Reconnaissance field investigation of surface-water specific conductance in the Snowmass to Glenwood Springs area, west-central Colorado, Colorado Geological Survey Information Series 49, 21 p., 1 pl.

Sares, M.A., 1996, The U.S. Forest Service abandoned mine land inventory in Colorado - background, progress, and preliminary findings, in Bell, R.S., and Cramer, M.H., compilers, Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Keystone, Colo., April 28-May 2, 1996, Proceedings: Wheat Ridge, Colo., Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, p. 221-232.    https://doi.org/10.4133/1.2922277
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269123919_The_US_Forest_Service_Abandoned_Mine_Land_Inventory_in_Colorado_Background_Progress_and_Preliminary_Findings

Kirkham, R.M., Lovekin, J.R., and Sares, M.A., 1995, Sources of acidity and heavy metals in the Alamosa River basin outside of the Summitville mining area, Colorado, in Posey, H.H., Pendleton, J.A., and Van Zyl, Dirk (editors); Proceedings: Summitville Forum ’95: Colorado Geological Survey Special Publication 38, p. 42-57.

Wheeler, D.M., Baldwin, D.E., and Sares, M.A., 1986, Potential for “Minnelusa-type” truncation traps in the Tensleep Formation, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, (abs.): American Assoc. of Petroleum Geology Bulletin, v.70, p.106.
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7230028

Kelly, A.O., Horne, J.C, Reel, C.L., and Sares, M.A., 1985, Facies Control on Oil Production from the Upper Member of the Permo-Pennsylvanian Minnelusa Formation, Powder River Basin, Wyoming, (abs.): American Assoc. of Petroleum Geology Bulletin, v.69, p. 852.  http://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/1984-85/data/pg/0069/0005/0850/0852c.htm

Geothermal Energy:

• Geothermal data compilation
• Geothermometry from groundwater/spring chemical analyses
• Geothermal investigation of the Rio Grande Rift zone

Abandoned Mine Lands:

• Characterization – Point source and nonpoint sources
• Environmental remediation
• Historic preservation

Education

Colorado School of Mines, 1/1990 – 5/1991
Professional Master’s Degree, Hydrogeology, May 1991

University of Toledo, 1/1978 – 12/1981
B.S., Geology, December 1981

Professional Experience

Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, CO (2024 – present)
Senior Geothermal and Abandoned Mine Lands Specialist

Colorado Division of Water Resources, Denver, CO (2011 – 2023)

Hydrogeology Section Manager

• Hydrogeologic determinations for groundwater regulation
• Geothermal permitting and regulation
• Water well contractor licensure and regulation

Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, CO (2005 – 2011)

Deputy Director

• Geothermal Energy investigations
• Natural Acid Rock Drainage

Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, CO (1998 – 2005)

Chief, Environmental Geology Section

• Remote Sensing of Acid Rock Drainage systems in streams, bedrock, and tailings
• Natural Acid Rock Drainage
• Groundwater Atlas of Colorado
• Aquifer Recharge in Colorado

Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, CO (1990 – 1998)

Scientist/Researcher, progressive levels

• Abandoned Mine Lands

RPI International, Inc., Boulder, CO (1982 – 1990)

Staff Geologist - Stratigrapher

Professional memberships

• Colorado Scientific Society – Councilor (2010-11), President-Elect (2012), President (2013), Past-President (2014)
• National Ground Water Association
• American Institute of Professional Geologists
• Colorado Groundwater Association
• Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Awards

• John C. Frye Award for Environmental Geology, 2012,
Geological Society of America - for the publication of
“Natural Acid Rock Drainage Associated with Hydrothermally Altered Terrane in Colorado”, Bulletin 54, Colorado Geological Survey, 2011, John T. Neubert, Jeffrey P. Kurtz, Dana J. Bove, and Matthew A. Sares
(Awarded to the best publication on environmental geology published by the Geological Society of America or by one of the state geological surveys.)
• President’s Certificate for Excellence in Presentation Award
American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists - Energy Minerals Division, Annual Convention & Exhibition, Denver, 2009.
“Geothermal Resources of Colorado and the Potential for Electrical Power Generation”
• Best Presentation Award
Geothermal Resource Council Annual Meeting, Resource Assessment Session, Reno, NV, 2009.
“Statewide Geothermal Resource Mapping in Colorado”
• U.S. Forest Service Leadership Award, 1999