Virtual Summer Conference
The Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference and Membership Meeting takes place annually, in August, for two and a half days at a Colorado resort location. The 2021 conference will be in Steamboat at the Steamboat Grand, beginning on Tuesday, August 24 and ending Thursday, August 26.
Virtual Summer Conference Registration
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We have recorded all sessions from the Summer Conference in Steamboat Springs that took place between August 24-26.
You can register to view these on-demand sessions and our virtual pre-conference sessions from August 19. All sessions will be available for on-demand viewing beginning September 7. |
VIRTUAL PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Thursday, August 19
Thursday, August 19
A Virtual Walk Through the Forest
with Deputy Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Jacque Buchanan and Steve Lohr, U.S. Forest Service
Moderator: Angela Boag, CO Department of Natural Resources
Colorado Statewide Climate and Water Supply Update
Brian Domonkos, NRCS
Kevin Rein, Colorado State Engineer
Russ Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist
A review of the 2021 snowpack, runoff, and how Colorado’s water supplies stand as we near the end of the water year.
NASA Airborne Snow Observatory
Measuring Spatial Distribution of Snow Water Equivalent and Snow Albedo
Moderator/Speaker: Laurna Kaatz, Denver Water
Emily Carbone, Northern Water
Ken Curtis, Dolores Water Conservancy District
Jeff Deems, Airborne Snow Observatories, Inc
Page Weil, Lynker Consulting
aylor Winchell, Denver Water
The CASO stakeholder group is currently funded under a Water Supply Reserve Fund grant to develop a plan for providing annual statewide snowpack measurement coverage by the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO). ASO flies fixed wing aircraft with Lidar instrumentation to take precise measurements of snow depth and surface conditions. Using these depths, and some assumptions around density, ASO provides high accuracy snow water equivalent measurements, in a way that no other snow product does. Over the last year, the CASO stakeholder group, representing dozens of Colorado water resources interests, has met monthly to discuss and understand the costs and benefits of regular ASO spring and wintertime flights to forecasting, planning and improved snowpack measurements throughout Colorado.
The premise of the plan is that regular ASO flights statewide have widespread benefits for water resources planners, reservoir operators, recreational and environmental groups, and will advance snow science throughout the state. In the face of climate change, high quality snowpack measurement will help stakeholders across Colorado manage an increasingly stressed resource. The CASO project team will provide an update on the status of the plan and stakeholder engagement efforts, some initial ASO findings in Colorado, and the path forward to a sustainable funding and governance plan for the program.
with Deputy Rocky Mountain Regional Forester Jacque Buchanan and Steve Lohr, U.S. Forest Service
Moderator: Angela Boag, CO Department of Natural Resources
Colorado Statewide Climate and Water Supply Update
Brian Domonkos, NRCS
Kevin Rein, Colorado State Engineer
Russ Schumacher, Colorado State Climatologist
A review of the 2021 snowpack, runoff, and how Colorado’s water supplies stand as we near the end of the water year.
NASA Airborne Snow Observatory
Measuring Spatial Distribution of Snow Water Equivalent and Snow Albedo
Moderator/Speaker: Laurna Kaatz, Denver Water
Emily Carbone, Northern Water
Ken Curtis, Dolores Water Conservancy District
Jeff Deems, Airborne Snow Observatories, Inc
Page Weil, Lynker Consulting
aylor Winchell, Denver Water
The CASO stakeholder group is currently funded under a Water Supply Reserve Fund grant to develop a plan for providing annual statewide snowpack measurement coverage by the Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO). ASO flies fixed wing aircraft with Lidar instrumentation to take precise measurements of snow depth and surface conditions. Using these depths, and some assumptions around density, ASO provides high accuracy snow water equivalent measurements, in a way that no other snow product does. Over the last year, the CASO stakeholder group, representing dozens of Colorado water resources interests, has met monthly to discuss and understand the costs and benefits of regular ASO spring and wintertime flights to forecasting, planning and improved snowpack measurements throughout Colorado.
The premise of the plan is that regular ASO flights statewide have widespread benefits for water resources planners, reservoir operators, recreational and environmental groups, and will advance snow science throughout the state. In the face of climate change, high quality snowpack measurement will help stakeholders across Colorado manage an increasingly stressed resource. The CASO project team will provide an update on the status of the plan and stakeholder engagement efforts, some initial ASO findings in Colorado, and the path forward to a sustainable funding and governance plan for the program.
IN-PERSON CONFERENCE SESSIONS
Steamboat Springs
Tuesday, August 24
Steamboat Springs
Tuesday, August 24
Opening Session
Conference Welcome
Douglas Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
First Things First
Introductory Remarks
Becky Mitchell, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director
Anne Castle (video), Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment
Clean Water for Tribal Communities
Speaker/Moderator: Heather Tanana, University of Utah Law School
Jaime Garcia, University of Colorado Law School
Ecosystem Services
Moderator: Kelly Romero-Heaney, CO Department of Natural Resources
Brendan Boepple, Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust
Michelle Carr, City of Steamboat Springs
David Primozich, The Freshwater Trust
Time to explore the landscape-changing approaches for environmental compliance strategies for communities. Creating markets for riparian-related ecosystem services. Spurring restoration to reduce both nutrient and heat loads to stream systems along with habitat-related co-benefits. Tools for quantifying riparian ecosystem services (innovative remote sensing, economic, and financial models).
Case study of Steamboat Springs, while facing temperature compliance issues, they hope to reduce temperature loads through non-point source controls and riparian reforestation and enhance climate resilience.
Benefits the agricultural community could see from an expansion of ecosystem markets. Launching an additive conservation program to bring more resources to ag producers while promoting riparian restoration and carbon-storing practices.
Lessons Learned from Colorado Experiences with Interstate Compact Administration
Moderator: Hannah Holm, Colorado Mesa University
Lead Presenter: Kelsea Macilroy, Macilroy Research
Discussion Panel
Deb Daniel, Republican River Water Conservation District
Heather Dutton, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Jack Goble, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District
Jim Yahn, North Sterling Irrigation District
As water users who depend on the Colorado River grapple with how to forestall or prepare for the possibility of curtailment under the Colorado River Compact, it’s worth remembering that this is not an entirely new dilemma for our state. The Rio Grande, South Platte, Republican and Arkansas Basins have all experienced compact administration. While the hydrology and legal details are unique to each basin, these experiences have common threads that may be instructive to the Colorado Basin community.
In each of these experiences, choices made by water users and regulators impacted how required adjustments in water use impacted people and communities. Through interviews with people who lived through the experience of compact administration and reviewing their stories alongside a timeline of key events, we have distilled hard-won lessons and their relevance for the Colorado River Basin.
Conference Welcome
Douglas Kemper, Colorado Water Congress
First Things First
Introductory Remarks
Becky Mitchell, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director
Anne Castle (video), Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment
Clean Water for Tribal Communities
Speaker/Moderator: Heather Tanana, University of Utah Law School
Jaime Garcia, University of Colorado Law School
Ecosystem Services
Moderator: Kelly Romero-Heaney, CO Department of Natural Resources
Brendan Boepple, Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust
Michelle Carr, City of Steamboat Springs
David Primozich, The Freshwater Trust
Time to explore the landscape-changing approaches for environmental compliance strategies for communities. Creating markets for riparian-related ecosystem services. Spurring restoration to reduce both nutrient and heat loads to stream systems along with habitat-related co-benefits. Tools for quantifying riparian ecosystem services (innovative remote sensing, economic, and financial models).
Case study of Steamboat Springs, while facing temperature compliance issues, they hope to reduce temperature loads through non-point source controls and riparian reforestation and enhance climate resilience.
Benefits the agricultural community could see from an expansion of ecosystem markets. Launching an additive conservation program to bring more resources to ag producers while promoting riparian restoration and carbon-storing practices.
Lessons Learned from Colorado Experiences with Interstate Compact Administration
Moderator: Hannah Holm, Colorado Mesa University
Lead Presenter: Kelsea Macilroy, Macilroy Research
Discussion Panel
Deb Daniel, Republican River Water Conservation District
Heather Dutton, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District
Jack Goble, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District
Jim Yahn, North Sterling Irrigation District
As water users who depend on the Colorado River grapple with how to forestall or prepare for the possibility of curtailment under the Colorado River Compact, it’s worth remembering that this is not an entirely new dilemma for our state. The Rio Grande, South Platte, Republican and Arkansas Basins have all experienced compact administration. While the hydrology and legal details are unique to each basin, these experiences have common threads that may be instructive to the Colorado Basin community.
In each of these experiences, choices made by water users and regulators impacted how required adjustments in water use impacted people and communities. Through interviews with people who lived through the experience of compact administration and reviewing their stories alongside a timeline of key events, we have distilled hard-won lessons and their relevance for the Colorado River Basin.
Wednesday, August 25
Day 2 Overview and Announcements
Travis Smith, National Wild Turkey Federation and Colorado Water Congress Vice President
The Importance of Investing in Water Infrastructure
Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
Colorado has an unprecedented opportunity to utilize federal and state funds for water infrastructure. State revenue forecasts have rebounded, the American Rescue Plan Act provides. Colorado with money to recover from the pandemic, and other funding sources may be available. It is critical that we prioritize water infrastructure and prepare for a future where we will need greater resilience and adaptive management of our water resources.
Colorado River Update
Becky Mitchell, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director
50th Anniversary of the Colorado Water Projects Construction Fund (video)
Kirk Russell, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Demystifying Shared Stewardship
Moderator/Speaker: Travis Smith, National Wild Turkey Federation and Colorado Water Congress Vice President
Frank Beum, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Forester
Dan Gibbs, Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director
Tom Spezze, National Wild Turkey Federation
Case Study: City of Greeley
Managing Drinking Water Supplies Through Forest Fire and Floods
Adam Jokerst, City of Greeley
Colorado Forest and Water Alliance Update
Keith McLaughlin, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and Colorado Water Congress Treasurer
Advanced Water Technologies Survey
Dr. Evan Thomas
Recognition of Mayor Jeni Arndt
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper
Discussion Moderator: Christine Arbogast, Kogovsek and Associates
Travis Smith, National Wild Turkey Federation and Colorado Water Congress Vice President
The Importance of Investing in Water Infrastructure
Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
Colorado has an unprecedented opportunity to utilize federal and state funds for water infrastructure. State revenue forecasts have rebounded, the American Rescue Plan Act provides. Colorado with money to recover from the pandemic, and other funding sources may be available. It is critical that we prioritize water infrastructure and prepare for a future where we will need greater resilience and adaptive management of our water resources.
Colorado River Update
Becky Mitchell, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director
50th Anniversary of the Colorado Water Projects Construction Fund (video)
Kirk Russell, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Demystifying Shared Stewardship
Moderator/Speaker: Travis Smith, National Wild Turkey Federation and Colorado Water Congress Vice President
Frank Beum, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Forester
Dan Gibbs, Colorado Department of Natural Resources Executive Director
Tom Spezze, National Wild Turkey Federation
Case Study: City of Greeley
Managing Drinking Water Supplies Through Forest Fire and Floods
Adam Jokerst, City of Greeley
Colorado Forest and Water Alliance Update
Keith McLaughlin, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and Colorado Water Congress Treasurer
Advanced Water Technologies Survey
Dr. Evan Thomas
Recognition of Mayor Jeni Arndt
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper
Discussion Moderator: Christine Arbogast, Kogovsek and Associates
Thursday, August 26
Day 3 Overview and Announcements
Co-Moderators: Lisa Darling, South Metro Water Supply Authority and Alan Searcy, City of Lakewood
Re-Presentation of the 2021 Aspinall Award to Jim Broderick (live, this time)
with host Christine Arbogast, Kogovsek and Associates and Colorado Water Congress Board
Everything You Need to Know Now About WOTUS and PFAS
(without PowerPoints)
Session Moderator/Speaker: Mark Pifher, Independent Consultant and Colorado Water Congress Board
Shaun McGrath, Director of Environmental Health and Protection at CDPHE
Gabe Racz, Vranesh and Raisch and Colorado Water Congress Water Quality Chair
Nicole Rowan, Director Colorado Water Quality Control Division
So Exactly What Does "Environmental Justice" Mean?
with Colorado Deputy Attorney General Amy Beatie
As a Matter of Fact, Everything Does Begin with Agriculture
Colorado Commission of Agriculture Kate Greenberg
Closing Remarks and Adjourn
Co-Moderators: Lisa Darling, South Metro Water Supply Authority and Alan Searcy, City of Lakewood
Re-Presentation of the 2021 Aspinall Award to Jim Broderick (live, this time)
with host Christine Arbogast, Kogovsek and Associates and Colorado Water Congress Board
Everything You Need to Know Now About WOTUS and PFAS
(without PowerPoints)
Session Moderator/Speaker: Mark Pifher, Independent Consultant and Colorado Water Congress Board
Shaun McGrath, Director of Environmental Health and Protection at CDPHE
Gabe Racz, Vranesh and Raisch and Colorado Water Congress Water Quality Chair
Nicole Rowan, Director Colorado Water Quality Control Division
So Exactly What Does "Environmental Justice" Mean?
with Colorado Deputy Attorney General Amy Beatie
As a Matter of Fact, Everything Does Begin with Agriculture
Colorado Commission of Agriculture Kate Greenberg
Closing Remarks and Adjourn