2023 Annual Convention On-Demand
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
January 25-27
January 25-27
January 25 Sessions
Workshop
PFAS
Moderator: Gabe Racz, Vranesh and Raisch & CWC Water Quality Committee Chair Nathan Moore, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
David Dani, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
John Duggan, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
Todd Brewer, Aurora Water
Ana Schwab, Best Best & Krieger Andy Safulko, Brown and Caldwell Katie Koplitz, Metro Water Recovery
PFAS
Moderator: Gabe Racz, Vranesh and Raisch & CWC Water Quality Committee Chair Nathan Moore, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
David Dani, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
John Duggan, Colorado Water Quality Control Division
Todd Brewer, Aurora Water
Ana Schwab, Best Best & Krieger Andy Safulko, Brown and Caldwell Katie Koplitz, Metro Water Recovery
Opening General Session
Welcome
Travis Smith, CWC Board President and National Wild Turkey Federation
New Era in Water Conservation
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman
Aurora’s new water conservation ordinance will eliminate spray irrigation in medians, using cool-season turf on new golf courses, and turf in landscapes not actively used for recreation. We will hear the story of how the ordinance came into being and expected outcomes.
Municipal Water Conservation Policy Perspectives
Moderator: Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman
Panelists:
Ft. Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt
Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout
Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman
Following up on our session from the summer conference, we will hear from Colorado mayors regarding the role of water conservation in their water supply planning. Many water providers who draw water from the Colorado River are considering a water conservation memorandum of understanding pledging to continue water conservation programs, introduce new programs to reduce nonfunctional turf by 30%, and increase water recycling programs. Are similar measures likely even if their communities do not rely on the Colorado River?
Welcome
Travis Smith, CWC Board President and National Wild Turkey Federation
New Era in Water Conservation
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman
Aurora’s new water conservation ordinance will eliminate spray irrigation in medians, using cool-season turf on new golf courses, and turf in landscapes not actively used for recreation. We will hear the story of how the ordinance came into being and expected outcomes.
Municipal Water Conservation Policy Perspectives
Moderator: Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman
Panelists:
Ft. Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt
Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout
Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman
Following up on our session from the summer conference, we will hear from Colorado mayors regarding the role of water conservation in their water supply planning. Many water providers who draw water from the Colorado River are considering a water conservation memorandum of understanding pledging to continue water conservation programs, introduce new programs to reduce nonfunctional turf by 30%, and increase water recycling programs. Are similar measures likely even if their communities do not rely on the Colorado River?
Concurrent Session A1
Post-fire Watershed Restoration Lessons Learned from East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires
Esther Vincent, Northern Water
Post-fire Watershed Restoration Lessons Learned from East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires
Esther Vincent, Northern Water
General Session 2
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser
Colorado’s Population Growth Trends
Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer
Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer
Colorado Political Trends
Moderator/Speaker: Floyd Ciruli, Ciruli and Associates
Panelists:
Mike Dino, Squire Patton Boggs
Dick Wadhams, Republican strategist
What was the 2022 political surprise of the year? Will mayoral races be the big political story in 2023? Will the largeDemocratic legislative majority affect the ideological/partisan shape of legislation in 2023? Are there any restraints on Democratic legislative priorities, especially of the far left? Can Republicans have influence? Does the changing political leadership (mostly Democrats) among Colorado River states affect the possibility for new agreements on saving or sharing water? Can the current Colorado political distribution of power address the urban-rural divide? Will Joe Biden and Donald Trump be the presidential nominees in 2024? If not, who? Will Governor Polis be a factor in the 2024 national race?
Moderator/Speaker: Floyd Ciruli, Ciruli and Associates
Panelists:
Mike Dino, Squire Patton Boggs
Dick Wadhams, Republican strategist
What was the 2022 political surprise of the year? Will mayoral races be the big political story in 2023? Will the largeDemocratic legislative majority affect the ideological/partisan shape of legislation in 2023? Are there any restraints on Democratic legislative priorities, especially of the far left? Can Republicans have influence? Does the changing political leadership (mostly Democrats) among Colorado River states affect the possibility for new agreements on saving or sharing water? Can the current Colorado political distribution of power address the urban-rural divide? Will Joe Biden and Donald Trump be the presidential nominees in 2024? If not, who? Will Governor Polis be a factor in the 2024 national race?
January 26 Sessions
General Session 3
State Affairs
Moderator: Peggy E. Montaño, Trout Raley and CWC State Affairs Chair
Panelists:
Sen. Dylan Roberts, Sen. Cleave Simpson, Rep. Karen McCormick (Zoom), Rep. Marc Catlin, Sen. Byron Pelton
Our annual session with Colorado legislators. What are the key issues for 2023? How does the Water Congress advocate effectively for water interests in the Colorado Legislature?
State Affairs
Moderator: Peggy E. Montaño, Trout Raley and CWC State Affairs Chair
Panelists:
Sen. Dylan Roberts, Sen. Cleave Simpson, Rep. Karen McCormick (Zoom), Rep. Marc Catlin, Sen. Byron Pelton
Our annual session with Colorado legislators. What are the key issues for 2023? How does the Water Congress advocate effectively for water interests in the Colorado Legislature?
Federal Affairs
Moderators: Christine Arbogast, and Andy Colosimo, CWC Federal Affairs Co-Chairs
Speaker: Rosy Brummette, Senator Michael Bennet Policy Advisor
What are Colorado’s federal priorities and how does the Water Congress take care of our members’ interests at the federal level? Case study on the relevant titles in the Farm Bill: What are the primary programs of interest to Coloradans. How does the Colorado ag community benefit from the Farm Bill? Are climate, forestry, watershed health considered?
Moderators: Christine Arbogast, and Andy Colosimo, CWC Federal Affairs Co-Chairs
Speaker: Rosy Brummette, Senator Michael Bennet Policy Advisor
What are Colorado’s federal priorities and how does the Water Congress take care of our members’ interests at the federal level? Case study on the relevant titles in the Farm Bill: What are the primary programs of interest to Coloradans. How does the Colorado ag community benefit from the Farm Bill? Are climate, forestry, watershed health considered?
General Session 4
Beyond the Blacktop
Who Speaks for Agriculture?
Moderators: Travis Smith, CWC President & National Wild Turkey Federation and Jim Yahn, North Sterling Irrigation District
Speakers:
Don Ament, Former Colorado Ag Commissioner and Colorado Legislator
Marc Catlin, Colorado Representative
Tony Haas, Las Animas County Commissioner
James Henderson, Colorado Farm Bureau Vice President
Erin Karney, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President
A candid conversion regarding the future of Colorado's Irrigated Agriculture from a rural perspective. The challenges, benefits, and opportunities facing Colorado's agriculture communities are not always seen from the highway. Colorado's Ag Water Policy and Ag Industry leaders will share their concerns and solutions on today's hot topics ranging from rural inflation, rural stress, climate change impacts, water and food security, urban perspective of rural communities, benefits of irrigated ag. Who speaks for agriculture and is anybody listening?
How can Colorado Water Congress ensure the voice of the Ag community is heard?
Beyond the Blacktop
Who Speaks for Agriculture?
Moderators: Travis Smith, CWC President & National Wild Turkey Federation and Jim Yahn, North Sterling Irrigation District
Speakers:
Don Ament, Former Colorado Ag Commissioner and Colorado Legislator
Marc Catlin, Colorado Representative
Tony Haas, Las Animas County Commissioner
James Henderson, Colorado Farm Bureau Vice President
Erin Karney, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President
A candid conversion regarding the future of Colorado's Irrigated Agriculture from a rural perspective. The challenges, benefits, and opportunities facing Colorado's agriculture communities are not always seen from the highway. Colorado's Ag Water Policy and Ag Industry leaders will share their concerns and solutions on today's hot topics ranging from rural inflation, rural stress, climate change impacts, water and food security, urban perspective of rural communities, benefits of irrigated ag. Who speaks for agriculture and is anybody listening?
How can Colorado Water Congress ensure the voice of the Ag community is heard?
Concurrent Session B1
The Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project
Joe Donnelly, Northern Water Kevin Lock, Northern Water
The Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project is under construction. It is a collaboration between nine municipalities, two water districts and a power provider to improve the reliability of water supplies from the Windy Gap Project. The reservoir will be located just west of Carter Lake in southern Larimer County, and will store 90,000 acre-feet of water when built - slightly smaller than neighboring Carter Lake (112,230 acre-feet). The project will provide a firm yield of 30,000 acre-feet annually, which will meet a portion of the future demands of the participants
The Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project
Joe Donnelly, Northern Water Kevin Lock, Northern Water
The Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project is under construction. It is a collaboration between nine municipalities, two water districts and a power provider to improve the reliability of water supplies from the Windy Gap Project. The reservoir will be located just west of Carter Lake in southern Larimer County, and will store 90,000 acre-feet of water when built - slightly smaller than neighboring Carter Lake (112,230 acre-feet). The project will provide a firm yield of 30,000 acre-feet annually, which will meet a portion of the future demands of the participants
General Session 5
Aspinall Roundtable and 2023 Aspinall Award Presentation
Who Really Sets Colorado Water Policy?
A gathering of our Aspinall Award winners will lead us through an entertaining journey through the Colorado water policy landscape.
Aspinall Roundtable and 2023 Aspinall Award Presentation
Who Really Sets Colorado Water Policy?
A gathering of our Aspinall Award winners will lead us through an entertaining journey through the Colorado water policy landscape.
General Session 6
Expectations for Colorado’s Water Strategy in 2023
Moderator: Jackie Brown, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. & CWC Board
Speakers:
Lauren Ris, CWCB
Jessica Brody, CWCB Board & Denver Water
Paul Bruchez, CWCB Board & Grand County Rancher
Heather Dutton, CWCB Board & San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Greg Felt, CWCB Board & Chaffee County Commissioner
Join members of the CWCB board and staff in a once in a lifetime opportunity to discuss the Colorado Water Plan and take questions from the water community. Learn about annual operations planning, funding, and the balance between agency and partner actions. Come and participate in this unique dialogue that will be both fun and informative.
Expectations for Colorado’s Water Strategy in 2023
Moderator: Jackie Brown, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assn. & CWC Board
Speakers:
Lauren Ris, CWCB
Jessica Brody, CWCB Board & Denver Water
Paul Bruchez, CWCB Board & Grand County Rancher
Heather Dutton, CWCB Board & San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Greg Felt, CWCB Board & Chaffee County Commissioner
Join members of the CWCB board and staff in a once in a lifetime opportunity to discuss the Colorado Water Plan and take questions from the water community. Learn about annual operations planning, funding, and the balance between agency and partner actions. Come and participate in this unique dialogue that will be both fun and informative.
Environmental/Water Justice
Moderator: Dr. Tom Romero, University of Denver
Panelists:
Darcy O’Connor, Water Division Director, EPA Region 8
Lubna Ahmed, Environmental Justice Boards Manager, CDPHE
Renee M. Chacon, Executive Director, Womxn from the Mountain
Jamie Valdez, Community Organizer, Mothers Out Front
The Environmental/Water Justice panel will feature the State's leaders who are advancing environmental/water justice in Colorado. Join the discussion to learn more about how Colorado is a model for implementing meaningful actions at both the local and national levels, and how and why environmental justice is applicable and critical to the future of Colorado water.
Moderator: Dr. Tom Romero, University of Denver
Panelists:
Darcy O’Connor, Water Division Director, EPA Region 8
Lubna Ahmed, Environmental Justice Boards Manager, CDPHE
Renee M. Chacon, Executive Director, Womxn from the Mountain
Jamie Valdez, Community Organizer, Mothers Out Front
The Environmental/Water Justice panel will feature the State's leaders who are advancing environmental/water justice in Colorado. Join the discussion to learn more about how Colorado is a model for implementing meaningful actions at both the local and national levels, and how and why environmental justice is applicable and critical to the future of Colorado water.
January 27 Sessions
General Session 7
Living with Colorado’s Limited Water Supply
Policy Recommendations for Dealing with Climate, Hydrology Compacts, and Water Supply
Co-Moderators/Speakers: Jennifer Gimbel, Colorado Water Center and Eric Kuhn
Russ Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist
A new report prepared by the Common Sense Institute takes us on a sweeping view through all of Colorado’s water basins. Connecting the themes from throughout the conference, we will examine the different forces and conditions driving water policy in each basin and consider recommendations.
Living with Colorado’s Limited Water Supply
Policy Recommendations for Dealing with Climate, Hydrology Compacts, and Water Supply
Co-Moderators/Speakers: Jennifer Gimbel, Colorado Water Center and Eric Kuhn
Russ Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist
A new report prepared by the Common Sense Institute takes us on a sweeping view through all of Colorado’s water basins. Connecting the themes from throughout the conference, we will examine the different forces and conditions driving water policy in each basin and consider recommendations.
General Session 8
Is Our Water Law and Policy Framework Crisis Ready?
Moderator: Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
Panelists:
Chris Treese, John Currier, and Robert Sakata
At the first Water Congress meeting in 1958, your predecessors adopted a Platform that stated: “We, who have assembled here in this Water Congress, come from every watershed in Colorado, and represent every classification of water use in the State. We recognize the necessity for complete unity of purpose and objective in forming and carrying out a stable water policy for a unified State of Colorado. We now join together dedicating ourselves to the task of securing full development of all of our available water resources, grounding our actions upon the fundamental proposition that equity must be done to and among all areas within the State.”
We have faced drought before. Battled other Western States and the federal government over Colorado River operations. Spent tens of millions of dollars building sophisticated planning tools. Invested considerable energy in basin dialogue groups. In all this and much more, have we realized our initial 1958 vision? Are we truly ready for the crises we face now? Our panel will share their thoughts.
Is Our Water Law and Policy Framework Crisis Ready?
Moderator: Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
Panelists:
Chris Treese, John Currier, and Robert Sakata
At the first Water Congress meeting in 1958, your predecessors adopted a Platform that stated: “We, who have assembled here in this Water Congress, come from every watershed in Colorado, and represent every classification of water use in the State. We recognize the necessity for complete unity of purpose and objective in forming and carrying out a stable water policy for a unified State of Colorado. We now join together dedicating ourselves to the task of securing full development of all of our available water resources, grounding our actions upon the fundamental proposition that equity must be done to and among all areas within the State.”
We have faced drought before. Battled other Western States and the federal government over Colorado River operations. Spent tens of millions of dollars building sophisticated planning tools. Invested considerable energy in basin dialogue groups. In all this and much more, have we realized our initial 1958 vision? Are we truly ready for the crises we face now? Our panel will share their thoughts.