Annual Convention Program 2026
Important Links
Many thanks to SGM for sponsoring the program!
Registration (Opens 8:00am)
Located outside of Aurora Ballroom.
Workshops (9:00am)
Workshop 1: Demystifying Active Forest Management in Colorado
Conference Room VI
Healthy forests are critical for climate resilience and safeguarding our water supplies—constituting our largest storage reservoir, regulating stream flows, and removing sediment. Yet, Colorado’s forests and our water are increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. Active forest management is key to reducing risk, protecting watersheds, and restoring resilience—but where do you start? Join our panel of experts in water quality, forest health and restoration as they demystify the process and share practical strategies for setting priorities, building partnerships, and scaling up treatments.
Moderator: Patt Dorsey, Director of Operations, West National Wild Turkey Federation
Speakers: Christina Burri, Deputy State Forester, Colorado State Forest Service
Dan Dallas, Renewable Resource Director, United States Forest Service
Alison Lerch, Assistant Director for Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Madelene McDonald, Watershed Scientist, Denver Water
Molly Pitts, Forest Management Manager, National Wild Turkey Federation
Chris Sturm, Watershed Program Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Esther Vincent, Environmental Services Director, Northern Water
Workshop 2: Invasive Species Threatening Infrastructure: Assessing the Level of Threat and the Level of Resources to Address It
Conference Room II
Zebra, quagga, and the golden mussels are aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that can have significant impacts to water infrastructure and delivery systems. Colorado has recently experienced a dramatic increase in zebra mussel positive waters in western Colorado. While a large majority of the State is not currently dealing with mussel infestations, aquatic nuisance species are an ongoing concern for all surface waters in Colorado. In 2025, several adult mussel settlements were discovered in Mesa, Garfield, and Eagle Counties, including the Colorado River from its confluence with the Eagle River downstream to the Utah state line. This workshop panel will discuss what the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species Program is doing to locate, mitigate, and contain mussel settlements, as well as efforts by other western states to avoid future infestation.
Moderator: Dave Payne, Assistant General Manager, Ute Water Conservancy District
Speakers: Justin Bush, Aquatic Invasive Species Division Manager, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Atlasi Daneshvar, Senior Water Resources Specialist, Valley Water California
Melissa Panella, Natural Resource Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation
Sherri Pucherelli, Biologist, Bureau of Reclamation
Ethan Scott, Land and Recreation Division, Bureau of Reclamation
Robert Walters, Invasive Species Program Manager, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
-- 12:00pm Lunch --
Sponsored by Ute Water Conservancy District
Sessions (Aurora Ballroom)
Convention Welcome
- Chané Polo, Executive Director, Colorado Water Congress
- Christine Arbogast, President, Colorado Water Congress
- Becky Mitchell, Colorado River Commissioner, State of Colorado
1:15pm - More Storage: The Critical Need For It, and How Population Growth, Drought and Cost Stand in the Way
Water in storage is like money in the bank: that feeling that you have the resources when you need them the most. But increasing our existing storage capacity isn’t easy. Our speakers will offer a frank discussion on the challenges.
Moderator: Kat Weismiller, Water Supply Planning Section Chief, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Speakers: Matthew Elmer, Economic Analysis Group Manager, Bureau of Reclamation
Michelle Garrison, Senior Water Resource Specialist, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Kate Watkins, Colorado’s State Demographer
2:15pm - Sallie Clark, State Director of Colorado, USDA Rural Development
--2:45pm Break--
3:00pm - Reservoirs of Support: How Storage Can Help Maximize Non-Consumptive Beneficial Use
Water supply development has often pitted proposed impoundments against the needs of recreation, fisheries, and the environment. However, amid the emerging reality of growing water demands and less reliable supplies, a more collaborative ethic is emerging across Colorado to make the most of our limited storage. Join panelists from the Yampa, Rio Grande, Arkansas, and Dolores for a discussion of win-win solutions that add value to water along the way to its final place of use.
Moderator: Heather Dutton, District Manager, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Speakers: Hunter Causey, Director of Asset Management/Chief Engineer, Colorado River District
Nathan Coombs, Manager, Conejos Water Conservancy District
Greg Felt, General Manager, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
Rica Fulton, Advocacy and Stewardship Director, Dolores River Boating Advocates
4:00pm - Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
Status of legal action on the Nebraska Perkins Canal plan.
4:15pm - U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen*
All delegation members were invited.
5:00pm - POND Reception: Open to All Attendees!
Sponsored by Molson Coors Beverage Company
Many Thanks to Our Convention Sponsors!
Water Buffalo Sponsors
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Gold Sponsors
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(Perk up Partners)
Water Champions
Supporting Sponsors
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POND Sponsors