Conference On Demand
Week 4
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Wildly Important Goals for the Department of Natural Resources
Speaker: Dan Gibbs, Executive Director Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Tackling Tough Questions
When data tells us we must change what we are doing, but facts on the ground say it’s too important to stop; what do we do? The Ogallala Aquifer is the world’s largest groundwater system, but aquifer withdrawals dwarf the flow of the Colorado River. Farmers, ranchers, scientists, community organizations and policymakers must work together to implement strategies to extend aquifer life. But how?
Speakers:
Milk River Project
Meriwether Lewis described the Milk River: “the water of this river possesses a peculiar whiteness, being about the colour of a cup of tea with the admixture of a tablespoonful of milk. From the colour of its water, we called it Milk River.” About 100 years ago, construction began on the Milk River Project to furnish irrigation water for 120,000 acres. Project storage is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and distribution systems are operated by irrigation districts. Unfortunately, funding for maintenance has been scarce. We will hear the story of how a valuable project has become a victim of the aging infrastructure dilemma.
Speaker: Jenn Patrick, Milk River Irrigation Project, Joint Board of Control
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Wildly Important Goals for the Department of Natural Resources
Speaker: Dan Gibbs, Executive Director Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Tackling Tough Questions
When data tells us we must change what we are doing, but facts on the ground say it’s too important to stop; what do we do? The Ogallala Aquifer is the world’s largest groundwater system, but aquifer withdrawals dwarf the flow of the Colorado River. Farmers, ranchers, scientists, community organizations and policymakers must work together to implement strategies to extend aquifer life. But how?
Speakers:
- Deb Daniel, Republican Water Conservancy District
- Meagan Schipanski, Colorado State University
Milk River Project
Meriwether Lewis described the Milk River: “the water of this river possesses a peculiar whiteness, being about the colour of a cup of tea with the admixture of a tablespoonful of milk. From the colour of its water, we called it Milk River.” About 100 years ago, construction began on the Milk River Project to furnish irrigation water for 120,000 acres. Project storage is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and distribution systems are operated by irrigation districts. Unfortunately, funding for maintenance has been scarce. We will hear the story of how a valuable project has become a victim of the aging infrastructure dilemma.
Speaker: Jenn Patrick, Milk River Irrigation Project, Joint Board of Control
Week 4
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Is WOTUS Really That Important?
The 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act is just around the corner. So why, after all this time, are we still fussing over just what “Water” we need to ensure is “Clean”? Is the uncertainty due to fuzzy original goals, recent advancements in science, greater environmental awareness, or something else? The Navigable Waters Protection Rule of 2020 may be our current quandary, but should we expect the Waters of the U.S. Definition Train to arrive at the station in time for the 100th Anniversary of the CWA? Is the ambiguity really an impediment to the water community getting our work done? Panelists will shed some light on why/whether WOTUS should receive so much of our attention.
Moderator: Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
Speakers:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Is WOTUS Really That Important?
The 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act is just around the corner. So why, after all this time, are we still fussing over just what “Water” we need to ensure is “Clean”? Is the uncertainty due to fuzzy original goals, recent advancements in science, greater environmental awareness, or something else? The Navigable Waters Protection Rule of 2020 may be our current quandary, but should we expect the Waters of the U.S. Definition Train to arrive at the station in time for the 100th Anniversary of the CWA? Is the ambiguity really an impediment to the water community getting our work done? Panelists will shed some light on why/whether WOTUS should receive so much of our attention.
Moderator: Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
Speakers:
- Mark Frasier, F Cross Cattle Company
- Melinda Kassen, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
- John Kolanz, Otis & Bedingfield, LLC
- Amber Weber, Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance
Week 4
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
WATER FOR BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Brown & Caldwell
Next Steps for the Colorado Water Plan
The CWCB has been updating the underlying technical analysis and coordinating with basins to update local plans to set the groundwork for the Water Plan Update - due for completion in 2022.This session will offer a glimpse into the Water Plan’s evolution and describe the Water Plan update process. Along with CWCB staff and the CWCB contract team (led by Brown & Caldwell) stakeholder representatives from across Colorado will share their hopes for the Water Plan update and discuss how the Water Plan can continue to serve as a living document that supports Colorado’s values and future water needs.
Speakers:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
WATER FOR BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Brown & Caldwell
Next Steps for the Colorado Water Plan
The CWCB has been updating the underlying technical analysis and coordinating with basins to update local plans to set the groundwork for the Water Plan Update - due for completion in 2022.This session will offer a glimpse into the Water Plan’s evolution and describe the Water Plan update process. Along with CWCB staff and the CWCB contract team (led by Brown & Caldwell) stakeholder representatives from across Colorado will share their hopes for the Water Plan update and discuss how the Water Plan can continue to serve as a living document that supports Colorado’s values and future water needs.
Speakers:
- Matt Lindburg, Brown and Caldwell
- Rebecca Mitchell, CWCB
- Linda Bassi, CWCB
- Barbara Biggs, Roxborough Water and Sanitation District
- Abby Burk, National Audubon Society
- Celine Hawkins, CWCB Board Chair
- Megan Holcomb, CWCB
- Bethany Howell, Rio Grande Watershed Conservation and Education Initiative
- Greg Peterson, Colorado Ag Water Alliance
- Mike Preston
- Kevin Reidy, CWCB
- Russ Sands, CWCB
- Chris Sturm, CWCB
- Kat Weismiller, CWCB
Week 3
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
4 Reasons to Focus on Lake Powell
The Bureau of Reclamation just released the Colorado River Basin 2020 August 2020 24-Month Study showing April to July runoff to be 52% of average. What will this mean for Colorado in the near-term? We will also get an update on the Bureau’s formal review to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
The Draft EIS for the Lake Powell Pipeline and has now been released. The pipeline would be 140 miles long and, at full development, deliver 86,000 af/yr to ten Southern Utah communities.
Invasive adult mussel populations are increasing rapidly in Lake Powell. CO Parks and Wildlife has decontaminated 15,000 boats with mussels attached including many coming from Powell.
Attorney General Phil Weiser will discuss his perspectives on Waters of the U.S. and Colorado River demand management.
Speakers:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
4 Reasons to Focus on Lake Powell
The Bureau of Reclamation just released the Colorado River Basin 2020 August 2020 24-Month Study showing April to July runoff to be 52% of average. What will this mean for Colorado in the near-term? We will also get an update on the Bureau’s formal review to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and Coordinated Operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
The Draft EIS for the Lake Powell Pipeline and has now been released. The pipeline would be 140 miles long and, at full development, deliver 86,000 af/yr to ten Southern Utah communities.
Invasive adult mussel populations are increasing rapidly in Lake Powell. CO Parks and Wildlife has decontaminated 15,000 boats with mussels attached including many coming from Powell.
Attorney General Phil Weiser will discuss his perspectives on Waters of the U.S. and Colorado River demand management.
Speakers:
- Noe Santos, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- Zach Renstrom, Washington County Water Conservancy District
- Robert Walters, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
|
|
|
|
Robert Walters, CO Parks and Wildlife
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels |
Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
Waters of the U.S. and Colorado River demand management |
Week 2
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Climate and Water Supply
In general, Colorado water supply conditions continue to move toward drier conditions. According to the State’s Water Supply Index, last year at this time every major river basin was above to well above normal. Currently, only the South Platte and Arkansas Basins remain at normal. Statewide reservoir storage over the past year has declined from over 600,000 acre-feet above normal to about 400,000 acre-feet below normal. Our panelists will discuss what the weather patterns mean for Colorado’s water users and how conditions are setting up for next year’s water supply.
Moderator: Tracy Kosloff, Deputy State Engineer
Panelists:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Climate and Water Supply
In general, Colorado water supply conditions continue to move toward drier conditions. According to the State’s Water Supply Index, last year at this time every major river basin was above to well above normal. Currently, only the South Platte and Arkansas Basins remain at normal. Statewide reservoir storage over the past year has declined from over 600,000 acre-feet above normal to about 400,000 acre-feet below normal. Our panelists will discuss what the weather patterns mean for Colorado’s water users and how conditions are setting up for next year’s water supply.
Moderator: Tracy Kosloff, Deputy State Engineer
Panelists:
- Russ Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist
- Brian Domonkos, NRCS
- James Heath, Assistant Division Engineer
Week 2
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Life on Corona Street
Simulcast with American Water Resources Association - Colorado Section
Has the pandemic exposed gaps in our thinking about water-related financial and policy matters? How are budgets holding up for mission critical water programs at the federal, state, and local levels? What new risks should we be preparing for? Are there remedies going forward? Panelists will share their thoughts as to how the pandemic has impacted their budgets, programs, and organizations.
Co-Moderators:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Life on Corona Street
Simulcast with American Water Resources Association - Colorado Section
Has the pandemic exposed gaps in our thinking about water-related financial and policy matters? How are budgets holding up for mission critical water programs at the federal, state, and local levels? What new risks should we be preparing for? Are there remedies going forward? Panelists will share their thoughts as to how the pandemic has impacted their budgets, programs, and organizations.
Co-Moderators:
- Karlyn Armstrong, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife/American Water Resources Association
- Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
- David LaFrance, American Water Works Association
- Ann Terry, Special District Association of Colorado
- Kate Greenberg, CO Ag Commissioner
- Paul Bruchez, Grand County cattle rancher and fly-fishing operator
- Tom Waters, Park Manager of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, CPW
- Adam Jokerst, Deputy Director, Water Resources, City of Greeley
Week 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
What’s on Your Ballot?
U.S. Congressional Race
We will hear from the Democratic and Republican candidates for the 3rd Congressional District. Topics include how would Rep. Mitsch-Bush use her state legislative experience in Washington D.C., if elected? How would Lauren Boebert, as a first-time legislator, enhance partnerships to strengthen water security for Colorado? Session panelists will share their perspectives on this race and what the water community can expect going into the November election.
Congressional Race Candidates:
Panelists:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
What’s on Your Ballot?
U.S. Congressional Race
We will hear from the Democratic and Republican candidates for the 3rd Congressional District. Topics include how would Rep. Mitsch-Bush use her state legislative experience in Washington D.C., if elected? How would Lauren Boebert, as a first-time legislator, enhance partnerships to strengthen water security for Colorado? Session panelists will share their perspectives on this race and what the water community can expect going into the November election.
Congressional Race Candidates:
- Representative Diane Mitsch-Bush
- Lauren Boebert
Panelists:
- Dick Wadhams, former Colorado GOP State Chair
- Zoey DeWolf
Week 1
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
What’s on Your Ballot?
U.S. Senate Race
We will open the conference with Democratic and Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. Both Sen. Gardner and Gov. Hickenlooper will address issues such as water infrastructure funding, basin-wide drought management, and the enlargement of reservoirs to increase storage capacity. Session panelists will share their perspectives on this race and what the water community can expect going into the November election.
Senate Race Candidates:
Panelists:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
What’s on Your Ballot?
U.S. Senate Race
We will open the conference with Democratic and Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate. Both Sen. Gardner and Gov. Hickenlooper will address issues such as water infrastructure funding, basin-wide drought management, and the enlargement of reservoirs to increase storage capacity. Session panelists will share their perspectives on this race and what the water community can expect going into the November election.
Senate Race Candidates:
- Senator Cory Gardner
- Governor John Hickenlooper
Panelists:
- Rick Ridder, RBI Strategies and Research
- Cinamon Watson, Catalyst Public Affairs
Thank you to our sponsors
|
|
|