Southwest Water Seminar
For 40 years in southwestern Colorado, water managers, irrigators, municipal representatives, tribal members, environmental advocates, recreation enthusiasts, and interested citizens have come together each year for the SWCD’s Southwest Water Seminar. It’s a unique opportunity to interact with other individuals who are passionate about water resources and hear expert speakers from around the state and region.
2025
Water Reimagined: Strategies for a Changing World
Join us for our 41st Annual Water Seminar, Water Reimagined: Strategies for a Changing World and explore the future of water management in the face of big data and new ideas. Panels will include Municipalities, Women in Water, Collaboration, and discussions about the future of technology and the role of AI.
Look for registration in 2025!
Fluid Horizons: Navigating The Waters Of Innovation
The Southwestern Water Conservation District’s Annual Water Seminar, titled “Fluid Horizons: Navigating the Waters of Innovation,” reflected on the evolution of water challenges over its four-decade history. Once focused on full reservoirs, the seminar shifted its attention to the scarcity of water resources. This year's event was particularly timely, addressing topics like the renegotiation of operational guidelines for Lakes Powell and Mead, the impacts of a changing climate, and the role of emerging technologies in water management.
Held on Wednesday, March 27, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio, the seminar featured a comprehensive agenda. Panels covered interstate and tribal water issues, innovative agricultural solutions, and community-level water initiatives. The event provided a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration among water stakeholders, including members of water districts, tribal representatives, government officials, environmental advocates, recreation enthusiasts, and concerned citizens.
Watch the 2024 Panel Videos Listed Below!
Welcome, and Opening Remarks:
Panel 1: Moving Forward on Intrastate and Tribal Matters
Panel 2: Innovative Solutions for Agriculture
About the Water Information Program:
Panel 3: Voices Around the State
Funding and Local Opportunities
Panel 4 & Closing Remarks: Southwest Achievements and Initiatives
The 39th Southwest Water Seminar took place on March 31st, 2023 at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort.
A video recording of the conference will be made public soon, and feel free to browse the provided presentations, below:
Session 1: Water Reuse- Treating Wastewater and Using it Again – A Deeper Look
Brandi Honeycutt – Colorado Department of Public Health & EnvironmentMolly Morris – Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE)Jolene Walsh – Director, Policy and Governmental Affairs, Easter Municipal Water District Helen Katich -Senator Hickenloper’s Office, Funding the Drinking Water SpaceSession 2: Seeking Common Ground along the Colorado River
Manuel Heart – – Ute Mountain UteSession 3: West Slope-East Slope, Lower, and Upper Basin Food and Water Connection
1. Robert Sakata-Sakata Farms2. Paul Bruchez – Food and Water Connection3. Simon Martinez – Ute Mt. Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise4. Bart Fisher – Palo Verde Irrigation DistrictSession 4: Statewide and Regional Environmental Issues
1. Celene Hawkins – The Nature Conservancy 2. Jake Kurzweil – Associate Director of Water Programs, Mountain Studies Institute3. Alex Funk – Director of Water Resources, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation PartnershipWater Information Program Overview & Lunch Game
Elaine Chick – Water Information Program ManagerAgenda
SWCD 39th Southwest Water Seminar Agenda
The 38th Southwest Water Seminar, “Navigating Shortage,” was attended by 170 people both in person and online.
Missed the seminar? All sessions are now available SWCD’s YouTube Channel.
Read seminar coverage from the Cortez Journal and Durango Herald:
Seminar asks what prolonged drought means for southwest Colorado
Tribes assert water rights on the Colorado River
Adjusting for drought requires innovation, planning
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Below are several presentations given at the seminar:
Click here to review the final 2022 program.Video: Southwest Basins – Our Forests and Rivers
Southwest Colorado in the Aridification Bullseye
Becky Bolinger, CSU Assistant State ClimatologistRob Genualdi, Division 7 Engineer, Colorado Division of Water ResourcesHeidi Steltzer, Fort Lewis CollegeNavigating Shortages for Southwest Colorado Water Users
Susan Behery, U.S. Bureau of ReclamationKen Curtis, Dolores Water Conservancy DistrictBen Wolcott, Mancos Valley RancherTribal Engagement – A New Dynamic on the Colorado River
Manuel Heart, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman100 Years of the Colorado River Compact
Eric Kuhn, Author and Former Colorado River District ManagerKelsea Macilory, PhD Candidate, Colorado State UniversityBeth Van Vurst, SWCD General Counsel, Van Vurst LawBecky Mitchell, Colorado’s Commissioner to the UCRCWater 22 – It All Starts Here
Elaine Chick, Water Information ProgramBalancing Protection and Use of our Natural Resources
Hattie Johnson, American WhitewaterJim White, Colorado Parks & WildlifeDon Schwindt, Family Farm AllianceWater Quality Impacts as Flows Drop
Peter Butler, Bonita Peak Community Advisory GroupJohn Cyran, Western Resource Advocates
SWCD’s 37th Annual Seminar, “Headwaters to Headgates: Uniting Leaders and Lessons for Southwest Colorado,” had another record number of attendees. U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton, Becky Mitchell, Colorado Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission, as well as KKTV meteorologist Brian Bledsoe were among the speakers. Click here to read a Durango Herald article based on a presentation at the seminar.
Below are several presentations given at the seminar.
Click here to review the final 2019 program.Weather We Like it or Not
Brian Bledsoe – KKTVLaser Mapping of Mountain Snowpacks
Jeff Deems – National Snow & Ice Data CenterPhase III Preliminary Results: Colorado River West Slope Risk Assessment
John Currier – Colorado River Water Conservation DistrictMaking Waves in Water Education
Jayla Poppleton – Water Education ColoradoProposing a Reverse Auction Exchange: Compensating Farmers for Reductions in Consumptive Use
Steve Ruddell – Economist, David Stiller – ConsultantSWCD’s 36th Annual Water Seminar, “Weathering the Weather: Resilience in Managing Our Water Resources Today,” was attended by almost 200 people, and highlighted lessons for our local communities in preparing for and responding to sudden challenges. Experts discussed how wildfire impacts water supplies, the state’s response to emergencies such as the 2013 front range flooding, the western slope’s risk in the context of Colorado River obligations and drought, as well as avoiding devastating infrastructure failure, among other related topics. Hear an interview about the seminar with Executive Director Bruce Whitehead or read coverage of the event in the Durango Herald.
Below are the presentations given at the 2018 seminar.
Click here for the full 2018 program.Forests, Wildfires & Water Supplies
Andy Colosimo – Colorado Springs UtilitiesSteve Hartvigsen – San Juan Headwaters Forest Health PartnershipWater Wizard Quiz: Are You Ready for an Emergency?
Dave Grey – Water WizardFive Years Since the Front Range Flood
Sean Cronin – St Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy DistrictEric Wilkinson – Northern Water Conservancy DistrictKevin Rein – State EngineerFloating the Tough Years: An Agile Recreation Economy
Becky Mitchell – Colorado Water Conservation BoardCathy Metz – City of DurangoProtecting Our Supplies & Communities
Matt Gavin – Colorado Dam SafetyRecounting the Oroville Dam Spillway Failure
Bill Croyle – Retired CA Division of Water ResourcesSystem Resilience: Planning for Drought on the Colorado River
Karen-Kwon-Brent-Newman-Colorado-Attorney-General-CWCB.pdf2017 Annual Water Seminar
The 2017 theme was “Solving the Water Funding Puzzle.” Across the West, the struggle to finance water projects and programs is constant. Speakers from state, federal and local perspectives discussed opportunities to continue essential water programs, address aging infrastructure and implement the water plan. Below are presentations provided by the speakers.
Click here for the 2017 programSeminar coverage in the Durango Herald (editorial).
Seminar coverage in the Pine River Times.
Bill Levine (DNR) SWCD SeminarJim Maras (USDA) SWCD SeminarDick Brown (Lobbyist) SWCD SeminarEmily Brumit (CWC) SWCD SeminarKirk Russell (CWCB) SWCD SeminarPat Steadman (Former State JBC) SWCD SeminarDave Grey (The Wiz) SWCD SeminarMike Brod (CWR&PDA) SWCD SeminarCelene Hawkins (TNC) SWCD SeminarKen Curtis (DWCD) SWCD SeminarNathan Fey (American Whitewater) SWCD Seminar2016 Annual Water Seminar
Again achieving record attendance with more than 190 people, the 34th Annual Water Seminar focused on lessons learned in the District’s 75 years and highlighted various local projects funded by the District’s grant program.
Click here for the 2016 program and read bios on the speakersSeminar coverage in the Durango Herald
Op-ed by John Porter in the Durango Herald, the Silverton Standard & Miner, the Dove Creek Press, Pine River Times, Pagosa Springs Sun, Telluride Daily Planet, and the Colorado Foundation for Water Education Blog.
Presentations are available below
Aaron Kimple – San Juan Forest Health PartnershipBill McDonald – The Era of Conservation DistrictsChris Jones – Dolores River Restoration PartnershipCody Perry – “River of Sorrow” Film Trailer
Deanna Drew – San Miguel Watershed CoalitionDeanna Drew – San Miguel Watershed Coalition NarrativeGreg Hobbs – The Era of Conservation DistrictsJoanne Spina – Palo Verde PID (La Plata County)John Porter – Telling the Story of SWCD LeadershipLaura Spann – SWCD’s Grant ProgramTravis Custer – High Desert Conservation DistrictWally Patcheck – La Plata Cherry Creek DitchIn Recognition of Fred KroegerPhotos from 75 Years2015 Annual Water Seminar
A record 175 people attended SWCD’s 33rd Annual Water Seminar, which covered water conservation, drought planning on the Colorado River, agriculture’s future, and the state water plan.
Click here to take a look at the 2015 agenda.To read about it in the news, see the links below:
Seminar coverage in the Durango Herald.
Seminar mentioned in Durango Herald Editorial
Here are links to the trailer and short film shown at the seminar:
Documentary Trailer: The Great Divide
Short Film: Resilient, Soil, Water & the New Stewards of the American West
Click on the links below to access 2015 seminar presentations:
Water Conservation Strategies – Drew BeckwithWater Conservation Strategies – Dominique GomezWater Conservation Strategies – Mark MarloweCo. River Planning Covergence – Eric KuhnCo. River Planning Convergence – Ted KowalskiCo. River Planning Convergence – Greg WalchAgriculture’s Future in the Co. Basin – Ken NowakAgriculture’s Future in the Co. Basin – Pat O’TooleState Water Plan Meeting Local Needs – John StulpState Water Plan Meeting Local Needs – Ann Oliver and Carrie LileState Water Plan Meeting Local Needs – Mike Preston2014 Annual Water Seminar
More than 160 people registered to attend the 2014 seminar and hear experts speak on various hot-button water issues. To read more about it, see the links below:
Seminar coverage in The Durango Herald.
Seminar coverage in The Pine River Times.
Click here for 2014 seminar agenda.
Here are some of the 2014 presentations:
Water Conservation: What is the Need?-Steve HarrisThe Colorado River: Time to Act?-John McClowThe Colorado River: Time to Act?-Tanya TrujilloWater Bank: The Next Step-Dan BirchWater Bank: The Next Step-Aaron DerwingsonWater Bank: The Next Step-Paul KehmeierWater Bank: The Next Step (Enterprise Budget)-Paul KehmeierPosole & Politics-Floyd CiruliColorado’s Water Plan: Our State’s Future – John StulpPublic Trust Doctrine: The Real Story-Floyd Ciruli & Doug KemperPublic Trust Doctrine: The Real Story-Steve LeonhardtGrand Canyon Experimental Flows: Beneficial? You Decide – Scott Vanderkooi2013 Annual Water Seminar
The 31st Annual Water Seminar was a great success with about 100 in attendance and a slate of distinguished speakers. Their presentations are below:
Colorado River Basin Study – Ted KowalskiCO River Basin Water Supply & Demand Study – Carly JerlaLower Basin Perspective-Kay BrothersState Budget Information-Ted LevineSustainability – Mark Williams, University of ColoradoTake Home Message from Basin Study-Don OstlerWater Transfers in the West – Carlee BrownUSGS Water Alert – Jennifer Dansie