Join the conversation at your local meeting!

Find your river & register to attend

The Colorado River District’s State of the River meetings are a spring tradition in Western Colorado, bringing communities together to discuss the most pressing water issues facing our region. These free public events provide valuable insights into river forecasts, local water projects, and key challenges impacting West Slope water users.

Eleven meetings are planned across the Western Slope; see the list below. These events offer an opportunity to hear directly from water experts and better understand the factors shaping the future of our rivers. A complimentary light dinner will be provided, and all events include a Q&A session to address your questions and concerns.

While each program is tailored to reflect local water priorities, key topics at all events will include:

  • River flow forecasts
  • Updates on the Colorado River system
  • Local water projects and priorities
  • Current challenges facing Western Colorado water users
  • Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project updates

If there are specific local issues or projects you would like to see highlighted, please include that information in your registration.

Registration is required, but attendance and dinner are free. We encourage all community members—whether deeply involved in water issues or just beginning to engage—to join us and participate in this important conversation.

Secure your spot today and be part of shaping the future of water in Western Colorado.

Click each event below to register!

Agendas will be posted for each meeting once they are finalized.

6-8 p.m. Montrose County Event Center, Montrose

Presented in partnership with the Gunnison Basin Roundtable

AGENDA 

6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:25 p.m. Programming begins

𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 – Bob Hurford, Division 4 Engineer
𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 – Rebecca Mitchell, Colorado River Commissioner
𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Colorado River District Staff
𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 – Wendell Koontz, Delta County Commissioner and Basin Roundtable Chair
𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 & 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 – Jake Hartter, Stewardship Director for Western Slope Conservation Center; Hannah Holm, Associate Director for Policy, American Rivers
𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐐&𝐀

8:15 p.m. Program ends

6-8 p.m. Sherbino Theater, Ridgway

Presented in partnership with Ouray County Water Users Association and Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership

Agenda 

6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:25 p.m. Programming begins

6-8 p.m. Steamboat Springs Community Center

Presented in partnership with Community Agriculture Alliance and the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

AGENDA

Introduction – Colorado River District Staff, Yampa-White-Green CWCB Director, Mike Camblin
A Voice for West Slope Water – Amy Moyer, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Colorado River District
Runoff Forecast and Update on Measurement Rules – Erin Light, Division 6 Engineer, Division of Water Resources
Nickell and Bear River Automation – Patrick Stanko, Ag. Resources Coordinator, Community Ag. Alliance
Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District Update – Holly Kirkpatrick, Public Information and External Affairs Manager
Yampa River Scorecard – Jenny Frithsen, Environmental Program Manager, Friends of the Yampa Friends of the Yampa

Audience Q&A

6-8 p.m. Moffat County Fairgrounds, Craig

Presented in partnership with Community Agriculture Alliance

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

AGENDA

Introduction – Colorado River District Staff, Yampa-White-Green CWCB Director
A Voice for West Slope Water – Amy Moyer, Colorado River District Director of Strategic Partnerships
Runoff Forecast and Update on Measurement Rules – Erin Light, Division 6 Engineer, Division of Water Resources
Norvell Project – Patrick Stanko, Ag. Resources Coordinator, Community Ag. Alliance
Elkhead Reservoir Operations and Strategic Releases – Sam Calahan, Colorado River District
Friends of the Yampa Scorecard – Jenny Frithsen, Environmental Program Manager, Friends of the Yampa
Flour Mill Project – Ellie Miller, Trout Unlimited; Mike Camblin

Audience Q&A

6-8 p.m. The Gathering Place (Old Ace High), Rangely

Presented in partnership with Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

AGENDA

6:00 p.m. – Dinner

6:25 p.m. – Program begins

Introduction

A Voice for West Slope Water – Lindsay DeFrates, Colorado River District Deputy Director of Public Relations

Division of Water Resources
White River hydrology forecasts – Willie Summers
Division 6 measurement rules update – Erin Light, Division 6 Engineer

Rio Blanco Conservancy Update – Al Vanden Brink, Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District General Manager

Water Supply Study Results and PL566 projects  – Liz Chandler, WRIWI Watershed Coordinator

Funding for Water Projects – Greg Petersen, Colorado Ag Water Alliance

Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District – Shawn Welder, Board Member

Audience Q&A

6-8 p.m. Third Street Center, Carbondale

Presented in partnership with The Roaring Fork Conservancy

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

6-8 p.m. Fred Fields Center, Gunnison

Presented in partnership with Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

6-8 p.m. Meyer Ballroom, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction

Presented in partnership with Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

6-8 p.m. Sun Outdoors, Granby

Presented in partnership with Grand County

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

6-8 p.m. Silverthorne Pavilion, Silverthorne

Presented in partnership with Blue River Watershed Group

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

6-8 p.m. Colorado Mountain College, Edwards

Presented in partnership with Eagle River Water and Sanitation District

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Past State of the River Meetings

State of the River Meetings 2024
State of the River Meetings 2023
State of the River Meetings 2022
State of the River Meetings 2021
State of the River Meetings 2020