CG

Catherine D. Grant

PhD Student · Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics · Colorado State University
Water policy, drought conservation, and resource economics

About

Economist studying how water policy shapes communities and resources

I am a PhD student in Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. My research examines how water conservation mandates and drought policy create lasting change in how communities use and value water. My dissertation investigates the long-term effects of California's water conservation mandates from 2012 to 2022.

Originally from Ghana, I have studied and worked across four countries — Ghana, Denmark, the United States (Wyoming and Colorado) — bringing an international perspective to questions of resource scarcity, water governance, and the economics of extraction. My published work in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Review analyzes demand for water rights transfers and leases in western U.S. water markets.

Beyond research, I have taught nine courses across two universities, reaching over 400 students. I currently instruct Principles of Microeconomics to 108 students at CSU. I serve as Music Director at Pentecost International Worship Centre in Fort Collins and coordinate events with the CSU African Graduate Students Association.

Research Interests

Water Policy Drought Conservation Resource Economics Water Markets Agricultural Economics Price Elasticity of Water Demand Climate Adaptation Colorado River Basin Conservation Mandates

Research

Publications, working papers, and thesis work

Working Paper
The Lasting Effects of Water Conservation Mandates: Evidence from California's Two Major Droughts (2012–2022)
Catherine Grant
Dissertation paper in progress, Colorado State University
Journal Article
An Empirical Analysis of Demand for Water Rights Transfers and Leases in Western Water Markets
Kristiana Hansen, Vardges Hovhannisyan, and Catherine Grant
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 1–22 (2025)
Master's Thesis
Quantifying the Price Elasticity of Water Demand in Cheyenne, WY: Implications for Drought Management and Policy in the Colorado River Basin
Catherine Grant
M.S. Thesis, University of Wyoming (2024)
3rd Place — WAEA Graduate Student Paper Competition, 2024
Undergraduate Thesis
Effect of Street Vending on the Revenue of Shop Owners in Winneba, Ghana
Catherine Grant
B.A. Thesis, University of Education, Winneba (2020)

Teaching

9 courses across two universities, reaching 400+ students

Instructor of Record
Principles of Microeconomics
AGEC/ECON 202 · CSU · Spring 2026 · 108 students
Instructor of Record
Principles of Microeconomics
AGEC/ECON 202 · CSU · Summer 2025 · 31 students (Online)
Instructor of Record
Agricultural Policy
AREC 578 · CSU · Spring 2025 · 40 students (Online)
Instructor of Record
Agricultural and Resource Economics
AREC 202 · CSU · Fall 2024 · 34 students (Online)
Teaching Assistant
Water Law, Policy, and Institutions
CSU · Fall 2025 · 112 students (Two sections)
Teaching Assistant
Economics of Outdoor Recreation
CSU · Fall 2024 · 30 students
Teaching Assistant
Principles of Macroeconomics
University of Wyoming · 2022–2024
Teaching Assistant
Principles of Microeconomics
University of Wyoming · 2022–2024

Education

2024 – Present
PhD, Agricultural and Resource Economics
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Dissertation: The lasting effects of water conservation mandates
2022 – 2024
M.S., Agricultural and Applied Economics (Minor: Statistics)
University of Wyoming · GPA: 4.00
Thesis: Price elasticity of water demand in Cheyenne, WY
2019
Exchange Semester
University College Copenhagen, Denmark
2016 – 2020
B.A., Economics Education (First Class Honors)
University of Education, Winneba, Ghana · GPA: 3.62/4.00

For a complete overview of my work, awards, and experience

Download CV (PDF)