Western Water Policy Program

CRWUA Through the Eyes of Young Professionals

Annie Carlozzi — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:29:14 +0000

CRWUA Through the Eyes of Young Professionals Annie Carlozzi Tue, 12/17/2024 - 22:29

Oliver Skelly , Aidan Stearns and Andrew Teegarden

Andrew Teegarden, current GWC Water Law Fellow:

The Annual Colorado River Water Users Association (CRUWA) Conference in Las Vegas was one of the busiest in recent years. Part of the increased participation stems from the current impasse in negotiations for the Post-2026 Operating Guidelines for Lakes Powell and Mead. Tensions could be felt in the hallways and discussions by nearly 1,500 attendees.

Pressures came to a head during the Upper and Lower Basin Panels. Colorado’s lead negotiator, Becky Mitchell, noted it was disappointing that all seven of the basin states were in Las Vegas and were unable to set a meeting where potential compromises could be discussed. Another Upper Basin Negotiator, Brandon Gebhart, spoke out against the posturing and inability to compromise.

Others on the Lower Basin Panel, such as JB Hamby, struck a different chord; the Lower Basin has been taking steps to lower water use despite the massive population, agricultural economy, and climate change. These realities are extremely troubling because it seems to be further entrenching the states in their own positions and is reducing their ability to compromise. In fact, Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs has begun setting aside money within the state budget for potential litigation efforts on the Colorado River. However, litigation did not seem to be the preferred alternative to solve the current breakdown in negotiations. A separate panel talked about the realities of litigation which could take decades, cost millions of dollars, and put the power to decide the outcome in the hands of judges which cannot fully capture the complexity and needs of each community partner along the river.

Outside of the programming, the entire Getches-Wilkinson Center Staff was honored to attend the Water & Tribes Initiative Luncheon which kicked off the start of the conference. During the lunch, attendees discussed potential alternatives for the Bureau of Reclamation to consider which would provide operational flexibility and account for tribal water usage.

Another highlight was the ability to talk with other colleagues and peers in the water space. Networking at large conferences has been one of the best parts of these events because they allow for more understanding within the water community. Despite the tensions, the water community was able to come together and discuss how we can solve the problems on the Colorado River equitably.

Unfortunately, CRUWA did not result in any big break through or give the states more clarity on how the Colorado will be managed. Although, leaders painted a clear picture of how difficult litigation will become if we are unable to agree. Complex scenarios require complex solutions and until someone can capture and account for all of them, compromise may be difficult to obtain. Allowing compromise and the goal of a stable river basin to drive the creation of alternatives will bring us to a place where all who utilize the river feel heard. Negotiators can get there, but it will take more time and dedicated effort to do so.

Aidan Stearns current 3L at Colorado Law and GWC Research Assistant:

From December 4-6, a variety of Colorado River advocates including lawyers, engineers, legislators, scientists, and tribal representatives gathered at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada for the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) Conference. This year, which was my first time attending the conference, CRWUA was focused on post-2026 operations of the Colorado River. Negotiations over post-2026 operations have been contentious, to say the least. CRWUA served as an opportunity to share all the various points of view with the Colorado River community.

Since it was my first time attending CRWUA, I had one simple goal heading into the conference: listen. CRWUA further affirmed a belief I held when I started law school almost three years ago: that a degree in environmental engineering would be a beneficial foundation for legal practice. One of the first sessions I attended was about the risks of litigation, where attorneys representing various upper and lower basin interests discussed what the path of litigation may look like based on past precedent. Those panelists are often tasked with the challenge of applying modern engineering and scientific concepts to legal doctrine dating back to the 1800s, something I hope to pursue in my own legal career.

Outside of the conference sessions, my most impactful interactions came from meeting conference attendees and listening to their unique perspective on Colorado River water issues. I spoke to a range of individuals including attorneys who worked solely with upper basin agricultural water users to lower basin tribal councilmembers.

Despite the difficult conversations that were had at CRWUA regarding post-2026 operations, a thread of hope seemed to weave through every session. Julie Vano, the Research Director for Aspen Global Change Institute, emphasized in a panel on extreme weather events the importance of not becoming paralyzed by uncertainty when using models. Panelists also expressed that they felt hope because of the resilience of people. Panelists expressed that there is no one to blame but us, but in that, there is hope in the innovation and partnership that people are capable of. No one person is going to have the magic solution to managing water issues in the Colorado River Basin. The solution is going to come from collaboration along with being able to listen to and respect the perspectives that people bring to the table.

Oliver Skelly, current 3L at Colorado Law and GWC Conscience Bay Company Western Water Policy Fellow:

When the GWC invited me to spend the week before final exams with them in Las Vegas I could hardly contain my excitement: My first CRWUA! And what a time for it, with the ongoing negotiations over the post-2026 guidelines atop the agenda. Studying could wait.

As the conference unfolded, most of what I'd heard about CRWUA's substance proved true: If you wanted platitudes, pay attention to the panels; if you wanted juicy hot takes, plug yourself into the hallway conversations. "The Upper Basin can't just keep saying no to everything!" "Lots of snarky remarks from the Lower Basin today." One attendee told me the words "climate change" were not even allowed in the agenda 10 years ago - a shocking and rather unnerving remark given where things stand now. (Fortunately for all involved, it's allowed now.)

That said, the official events were not without their fireworks. The threat of litigation has entered the discourse as negotiations appear to be breaking down, and both basin panels made that abundantly clear. And the conference had many other panels discussing interesting ideas, including recent developments with tribal water rights, regenerative agriculture, urban water efficiency measures, and Kevin Fedarko discussing his new book about his walk through the Big Ditch. Still, the large, seemingly immovable rift between Upper and Lower Basin proposals remained center stage.

The ultimate takeaway is nothing new: The future of the Colorado River remains uncertain. But CRWUA lives on, and it has found itself a new repeat customer. Many thanks to the GWC and its sponsors for making this trip possible for me.

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June 5th and 6th: 2025 Conference on the Colorado River

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:46:05 +0000

June 5th and 6th: 2025 Conference on the Colorado River Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/07/2024 - 11:46

The Getches-Wilkinson Center and Water & Tribes Initiative will be co-convening the 2025 Conference on the Colorado River on Thurs, June 5th and Fri, June 6th at the Wolf Law Building in ��Vlog�ƽ��, CO.

Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads

Once again, the Colorado River is at a crossroads, as the efforts to finalize the post-2026 rules push up squarely against longstanding conflicts, legal interpretations, and notions of equity and inclusivity. Complicating progress is the narrow focus on reservoir operating rules, and the tradition of pushing the thorniest issues to future discussions in largely undetermined forums and unknown schedules. In this event, we assess the current state of progress, focusing specifically on the degree to which emerging steps forward incorporate the lessons learned through past experiences.

We hope you join us for what will be sure to be an engaging 2-day conference bringing together thought leaders from across the Colorado Basin.

Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th

8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom

Breakfast, Snack and Lunch provided daily
Attendee reception provided on Thurs, June 5th

In person and remote registration available.

Colorado CLE general credits are pending approval.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Important registration dates:
Registration Opens Wed, January 15
Early Bird ENDS May 1
No refunds after May 15
Registration closes May 29 (one week prior to conference)

Conference Agenda (subject to change)

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

Session 1: Modern Challenges Through a Historical Lens. The Colorado River community is now laser focused on the need to adopt new operating rules by the summer of 2026. At this important inflection point in the basin, it is useful to look back, reflect on lessons learned, and turn hindsight into foresight to ensure that the actions we take now are appropriate for the ever-evolving challenges we face in the basin. The session will start by focusing on lessons learned by some of the basin’s first inhabitants: the Ancient Puebloans. It will then review the history of subsequent human settlement in the basin, exploring the legal and institutional principles that shape current opportunities and constraints to achieving a more sustainable future relationship between the people and the river. The discussion concludes with a review of the agreements expiring at the end of 2026: the Interim Guidelines, Minute 319 and the DCPs (drought contingency plans). Each of these frameworks have had successful elements, but each have had shortcomings. This interactive panel will highlight lessons learned, procedurally and substantively, identified by a number of people involved in those decision-making processes.

Session 2: The Aridification of Agriculture. The contributions of agriculture to the socioeconomic fabric of the basin are significant, but the mathematic reality is that it’s likely impossible to balance the regional water budget without major reductions in agricultural water consumption. This session frames the current role of agriculture in shaping the region’s water budget, highlights the practical challenge of funding the inevitable transition, and identifies some on-the-ground pathways for moving forward to a more sustainable future.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Session 3: Updates from the Tribes. Thirty tribes in the basin have strong interests (and legal rights) in how Colorado River management evolves. What are some of the most pressing concerns and demands?

Session 4: Rethinking Infrastructure: Glen Canyon Dam/Lake Powell. “What the River Knows” is a new film exploring how declining Lake Powell levels have resurfaced many environmental and cultural resources in and around Glen Canyon, and what opportunities and imperatives that might suggest for the future of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. This is the first “pre-screening” of the film, followed by a panel discussion.

Session 5: Updates from the Basin States. Reaching consensus on new Colorado River policy has become increasingly difficult for the basin states, who enjoy (and are burdened by) a central role in steering management forward.

Session 6: Looking Beyond the Rule-Making. While the crafting of new reservoir operational rules is the current focus of most attention and debate, thinking longer-term, the basin has several, more fundamental, issues that will demand thoughtful discussion and resolution, a longer-term challenge that will necessitate cultivating new ideas and leadership. In the spirit of turning hindsight into foresight, how do we move past the latest exercise in incremental, crisis management to achieve a healthy, just, and sustainable Colorado River?

Confirmed Speakers

Anne Castle, Getches-Wilkinson Center
Becky Mitchell, Colorado's Colorado River Commissioner
Brad Udall, Colorado State University
Brian Richter, Sustainable Waters
Celene Hawkins, The Nature Conservancy
Clint Chandler, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Craig Childs, Author
Elizabeth Koebele, University of Nevada
Eric Balken, Glen Canyon Institute
Eric Kuhn, Author
Jason Hauter, Attorney for Gila River Indian Community
Jason Robison, University of Wyoming College of Law
Jay Weiner, Attorney for the Quechan Tribe
JB Hamby, Colorado River Board of California
Jennifer Pitt, Audubon
Jim Lochhead, Consultant
John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority
John Fleck, University of New Mexico
John Weisheit, Living Rivers
Lorelei Cloud, Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Mike Connor, Consultant
Patty Limerick, University of Colorado
Perry Cabot, Colorado Water Center, Colorado State University
Peter Culp, Culp & Kelly, LLP
Peter Ortego, Acadian Desert Consulting
Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community
Terri Bissonette, Tribal Leadership Programs, NWF/WTI

Hotel Information
GWC has secured a hotel room block at the Residence Inn Canyon Blvd in ��Vlog�ƽ�� for Wed, June 4 - Sat, June 7. Click here to book online. To book over the phone, please call 1-800-228-9290 to make the reservation and be sure to mention the mini-hotel code "GWR" to ensure you receive the discounted rate. The room block is available on a first come, first serve basis and is valid until May 7th or until all rooms are filled.

Thank you to our 2025 Conference Partners:
Walton Family Foundation
Conscience Bay Company
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLP

Would you, your company or organization like to become a 2025 Conference Partner?

Learn more here about the benefits of supporting the upcoming conference!

Water & Tribes Initiative 2025 Partners

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CRRG (Colorado River Research Group) Resumes Activity

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 19:34:28 +0000

CRRG (Colorado River Research Group) Resumes Activity Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/15/2024 - 13:34

Doug Kenney

The Colorado River Research Group (CRRG), founded and again chaired by the GWC’s Doug Kenney, resumed activities this Spring, headlined by the publication in May of its latest policy brief entitled: Imagining the River We Deserve: How the Post-2026 Rulemaking is Only One Step Towards Sustainability. In a nutshell, the report acknowledges that the current EIS developing new management rules is essential to stopping further declines in the reservoirs, but is too specialized a process to get us all the way to the healthy, sustainable river that so many Colorado River stakeholders are asking for. Once the current EIS is completed, where (and how) is all the additional work going to be done? The CRRG believes that is a critically important question that shouldn’t be overlooked by the current spotlight on the EIS and its stated focus on “coordinated reservoir management.”

The publication of the report dovetailed nicely with two other activities undertaken by CRRG members. First, in April, three CRRG members--Jack Schmidt, Eric Kuhn and John Fleck--submitted an “alternative” to the post-2026 EIS process: “Managing the Powell/Grand Canyon/Mead ecosystem after 2026.” That proposal suggests that the Secretary of Interior be empowered to employ an adaptive management approach allowing releases from Powell to Mead to “be optimized to meet environmental, recreational, and cultural goals while retaining an interstate accounting system that still meets water-supply objectives.” Second, five CRRG members (John Fleck, Jason Robison, Eric Kuhn, Jonathan Overpeck and Doug Kenney) all participated as speakers/moderators in the June conference, which reinforced the philosophy that the post-2026 rulemaking was necessary but insufficient to achieve a desirable long-term future for the river.

Collectively, all these efforts aim to achieve the CRRG objective of bringing “An independent, scientific voice for the future of the Colorado River.” Topics of future CRRG writings are currently under discussion.

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Flying with LightHawk: A Welcome New Perspective on the Colorado River

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:32:44 +0000

Flying with LightHawk: A Welcome New Perspective on the Colorado River Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 06/28/2024 - 10:32

Oliver Skelly

Water, it is safe to say, is of the moment. Safer yet, the drought-stricken Colorado River is center stage. Seemingly overnight, the water beat has transcended from dusty backroads and Southwestern capitols to the front page of mainstream media outlets. Giving rise to that newfound coverage are the conferences and events that produce the soundbites and backroom deals that make the latest scoop in Western water such a juicy one.

Yet like many stories about natural resource issues, what can often feel missing is a sense of place; after all, slide shows and headlines can only spur so much. For water in particular, geography is everything—a factoid we know very well here in Colorado.

Enter LightHawk, an organization whose mission is “dedicated to accelerating conservation success through the powerful perspective of flight.” LightHawk does so by seeking out conservation projects and partners that could benefit from aviation, then leveraging their team of 300 volunteer pilots to provide zero cost flights. The organization’s focus areas include climate resilience, rivers and wetlands, and wildlife conservation.

On June 5^th, the day before the Getches-Wilkinson Center’s 2024 Conference on the Colorado River, LightHawk and the GWC teamed up to find that elusive sense of place. That morning a group of 15 participants boarded three separate planes to take an aerial tour of Front Range water projects, including the Gross Reservoir expansion and Chimney Hollow Reservoir construction, as well as a look at the Colorado River headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park and the infrastructure that makes up the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.

The passenger list comprised professionals from many different backgrounds, all sharing a focus on water and, more specifically, the Colorado River. There were tribal leaders, water lawyers, ranch managers, reporters, policy analysts, river advocates, foundation directors, GWC staff, and one very luck law student in myself. And that diversity of backgrounds was precisely the point: Come gather ‘round a birds-eye view of this imperiled river’s headwaters and let us see where the conversation goes.

As a student eager to find his way in the world of western water, this was a dream experience. The more casual setting (if you can call being a mile above the Earth in a little piston jet casual) allowed for plenty of quips, insights, and hard-hitting questions on all that construction going on down there. For me, the conversation highlighted how inherently political and value-based decisions on the River are, and how that is nothing to shy away from. Moreover, I gained a new appreciation for the number of different stakeholders and the good ideas they each bring—the flight itself atop that list.

Diverse and impressive of backgrounds as they were, nobody’s professional resume quite prepared them for how bumpy a ride Cessnas can deliver. The thermals coming off the foothills made for a turbulent ascent into the alpine. And the calamity of red lights and alarm noises coming from the cockpit certainly didn’t help settle the group’s collective stomach. But fortunately for your correspondent’s plane, all one had to do for a sigh of relief was look to pilot Mike Schroeder, cool as a cucumber at the helm.

Then, touchdown on the tarmac (coolest part of the day, IMHO) and back to business casual, powerpoints and panel presentations. Alas. However, with a subject matter like the Colorado River, two things are granted. First, a vast majority of folks working in this world also play in this world, and their sense of place is long-established. Second, a gathering of the minds to discuss the future of the River will be informative and provocative regardless of whether an airplane is involved. And sure enough, the conference was a smashing success.

But for me and surely the fourteen other flight members, the LightHawk flight was nonetheless a remarkable experience. The opportunity to fly across the part of the Continental Divide that not only separates the Front Range from the Western Slope but also boasts a colorful history of transbasin projects and state politics, all while chatting with a group of thought leaders in the water space, was truly invaluable. Hats off to LightHawk and all the volunteer pilots that made it possible.

*All photos shared are thanks to aerial support provided by LightHawk.

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2024 GWC Conference on the Colorado River

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:59:56 +0000

2024 GWC Conference on the Colorado River Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/05/2024 - 08:59

The Getches-Wilkinson Center and Water & Tribes Initiative will be co-convening the 2024 Conference on the Colorado River on Thurs, June 6th and Fri, June 7th at the Wolf Law Building in ��Vlog�ƽ��, CO.

Next Chapters on the Colorado River:
Short-Term Coping, Post-2026 Operations, and Beyond

For many years, full reservoirs on the Colorado River made for relative peace and stability among the basin’s major water users, despite lingering concerns over environmental degradation, unfulfilled promises to Tribal Nations, and the eventual consequences of water over-allocation and overuse. That era has abruptly ended, challenging the authors of modern Colorado River policy to quickly draft new chapters stabilizing the system through 2026, directing post-2026 reservoir operations, and articulating the long-term vision and strategies for achieving a healthy, sustainable and equitable river system. It is a formidable, multi-faceted agenda being addressed in many ways.

We hope you join us for what will be sure to be an engaging 2 day conference bringing together thought leaders from across the Colorado Basin.

Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7

8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)

Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom

Breakfast, Snack and Lunch provided daily
Attendee reception provided on Thurs, June 6

10 General Colorado CLE credits are available

Conference Agenda

The conference program is available for download here. This includes the agenda and speaker bios for everyone participating.

Conference Photographs

Barb Colombo of 11:11 Photography Productions captured images of the conference. These images are available for viewing here.

Conference Recordings

The conference recordings can be found here. They are broken up into 7 viewing sessions as listed below. Click on the title of the session to view individual recordings.

Session 1, Parts 1 and 2

Welcome and Introduction

Session One: Sovereign Perspectives on the Post-2026 Management Framework A defining characteristic of the Colorado River is the large number of sovereign governments with legally defined water rights and responsibilities. How are the many parties working together to craft post-2026 rules?

Part 1: State of the Basin: The Federal Perspective - What is the federal government doing to manage the river through 2026 (under various hydrologic scenarios), to lead the states and tribes to new reservoir operating rules post 2026, and to advance US/Mexico cooperation?
Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Part 2: Reflections on the US-Mexico Relationship - Building on past (but expiring) Minutes (i.e., binational agreements), how is Mexico working with the US on a post-2026 management framework?
Roberto F. Salmon, former IBWC Commissioner for Mexico

Session 1, Keynote and States Panel

Keynote Address: Jared Polis, Governor, State of Colorado

States Panel: Despite current tensions between the Upper and Lower Basin, all the basin states remain committed to arriving at a consensus vision for new rules. Where does that effort stand?

Moderator: Shannon Mullane, Colorado Sun Tom Buschatzke, Arizona Department of Water Resources JB Hamby, Colorado River Board of California Becky Mitchell, Colorado’s Colorado River Commissioner John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority Gene Shawcroft, Colorado River Authority of Utah Brandon Gebhart, Wyoming State Engineer Estevan López, New Mexico Upper Colorado River Compact Commissioner and Governor’s Representative on Colorado River

Session 1, Tribes Panel and Session 2

Tribes Panel: How are the 30 sovereign tribal governments participating in ongoing negotiations?

Moderator: Daryl Vigil, Water & Tribes Initiative
Lorelei Cloud, Vice-Chairwoman, Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Stephen R. Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community
Dwight Lomayesva, Vice Chairman, Colorado River Indian Tribes
Dr. Buu Nygren, President, Navajo Nation

Session 2: Other Perspectives on Post 2026 Management Beyond the sovereigns, many additional parties and viewpoints must be integrated into the NEPA process and, ultimately, into the new rules.

Stakeholder Panel: What do the “big 3” water using sectors – agriculture, urban, and environment – hope to see in the new rules?

Moderator: John Fleck, University of New Mexico
Karen Kwon, Colorado River Sustainability Campaign
Andy Mueller, Colorado River District
Adel Hagekhalil, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Pulling it All Together: Within the confines of the NEPA process, how does Reclamation integrate all the ideas and submissions into a decision?
Carly Jerla, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Session 3

Toward a Sustainable Future: Beyond 2026 While it is easy to find points of disagreement about future management alternatives, we all agree that any future regime must support a sustainable river system.

Visions of Sustainability: The Long View What can we take from past experiences, future projections, and thoughtful reflection to shape our thinking about the best road forward?
Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Chairman, Hopi Tribe
Jonathan Overpeck, University of Michigan
Daryl Vigil, Water & Tribes Initiative, Jicarilla Apache Nation

Session 4, Part 1

Moving from Vision to Action Crafting new reservoir operating rules is a necessary and important step forward, but a variety of management issues will remain. Presenters: What, if anything, would you add to the vision discussion, and what steps/tools are needed to make it happen?

Strategies to Achieve the Vision: Part 1
Forging an Equitable Process to Achieve a Vision of Sustainability. John Berggren, Western Resource Advocates
Translating the Trust Relationship in Colorado River Management. Jason Robison, University of Wyoming
Defusing Law of the River Landmines and Tripwires. Eric Kuhn, Author

Session 4, Part 2

Strategies to Achieve the Vision: Part 2
The Future of Ranching in the Upper Basin. Jim Howell, Grasslands LLC
Growing A Viable Future for Irrigated Agriculture. Will Thelander, Pinal County Farmer
Reshaping Cities to be Water Smart. Liesel Hans, Alliance for Water Efficiency

Session 4, Part 3

Strategies to Achieve the Vision: Part 3
Reviving a Living River. Jennifer Pitt, Audubon Protecting
Recreational Opportunities. Kestrel Kunz, American Whitewater
Building Resilience: Opportunities to Maximize Federal Funds Today and Post-2026. Alex Funk, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Thank you to our Conference Partners!

Water & Tribes Initiative 2024 Partners

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Getches-Wilkinson Center Staff Attend 2023 CRWUA Annual Conference

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 22:57:44 +0000

Getches-Wilkinson Center Staff Attend 2023 CRWUA Annual Conference Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/22/2023 - 15:57

Andrew Teegarden

The Getches-Wilkinson Center, led by director, Chris Winter, took the entire staff to CRWUA this year to participate in hard hitting conversations about the future management of the Colorado River. As we get closer to 2026, negotiations and compromise will become the focus of creating sustainable water management in the Western United States. Take a look at our summary of the conference, which was put together by our Water Law Fellow, Andrew Teegarden.

For the first time, every member of the Getches-Wilkinson Center staff traveled to Las Vegas for the annual Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) conference. This conference brought over 1700 water professionals together to discuss the issues and future management of the Colorado River. Many industries, Tribal nations, non-governmental organizations, local, state, and federal governments were all represented. The major theme of the conference was “We must live within the means of the river” as Becky Mitchell stated during the seven basin states panel.

Our first day of the conference started with the Tribal Luncheon hosted by the Water and Tribes Initiative (WTI). We would like to express our gratitude to Daryl Vigil, the Co-Director of WTI, for inviting our staff to attend. The luncheon welcomed over 200 attendees and included a panel of speakers from the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Network (IWLN) who spoke about the role women play in advancing equity within the water community. Lorelei Cloud, one of the panelists, remarked that women are strong, dedicated leaders in the water community and that their presence is growing within the space as evidenced by their involvement in 2023 World Water Week. Panelists also discussed IWLN’s important and growing body of work in bringing Indigenous women into the world of water regulation and developing them into the next generation of water leaders.

The remainder of the day was filled a plethora of presentations that examined the history of the Colorado River from the water user’s perspective, the effectiveness of current and past programs, future policies and management programs, and a photo-story documenting the people, places, and things connecting all of us to the river.

The main event of CRWUA was the Seven States’ Perspectives panel which included the main representatives from each of the Colorado River Basin States who are involved in negotiating a new set of operating guidelines. Becky Mitchell, Colorado River Commissioner for the State of Colorado, pressed hard on the need to address the structural deficits in management of water resources in the basin with a particular focus on overuse in the lower basin. However, other panelists were focused on the need for collective action to reduce overall consumption on the river and highlighted recent conservation efforts. California, for example, signed historic conservation agreements during the conference to conserve nearly 348,680 acre feet of water in Lake Mead for 2023 alone. These agreements are part of the system conservation commitments made by the lower basin which promises to reduce water use by nearly 3 million acre-feet and will be compensated through the Inflation Reduction Act. The solutions to effectively managing the future of the Colorado River will clearly involve compromise and collective action among all the basin states.

The next panel presented the varying types of water usage throughout the basin. One highlight was Jennifer Pitt’s presentation on the Colorado River Environmental Programs which include the Endangered Species Act, Upper Basin Recovery Implementation Program, San Juan Recovery Implementation Program, Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, Grand Canyon Protection Act, the Commitments in Minutes 319 and 323, as well as various other state, federal and private programs.

Some other notable panels included a presentation on various ways municipalities and water users can deal with the impacts of climate change. Liz Crosson, the Chief Sustainability, Resilience, and Innovation Office for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California focused on climate adaptation strategies for metropolitan water users. The primary vehicle for achieving climate adaptation is to integrate water resource planning, infrastructure development, and financial planning. Karletta Chief, the director of the University of Arizona’s Indigenous Resilience Center discussed the importance of access to clean water on the Navajo Nation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Navajo Nation Water Access Coordination Group helped address the need for innovative off-grid user friendly water solutions to help address real-time water insecurity for tribal communities. Pilar Harris, a Corporate Social Responsibility representative from Formula 1 talked about how the driving event which took place in Las Vegas in early November was committed to reducing their water consumption for the race and that they were able to utilize atmospheric water generators (AWG) to create a net-negative use of water for the race. Over the course of a year, the AWG is capable of producing over 500,000 gallons of water by converting ambient humidity into water.

One of our own Senior Fellows, Anne Castle, was the moderator for the Sovereign-to-Sovereign Dialogue panel. During the conversation, The Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, Camille Calimlim Touton, discussed the various programs and initiatives being implemented by the Bureau to foster opportunities for Tribal involvement in development of the post-2026 operating guidelines for the Colorado River. The other panelists were representatives from the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the Navajo Nation which showed their gratitude for the opportunities being provided by the Biden Administration. However, the Tribal representatives also emphasized the need for greater inclusion and funding for water development projects. Our Water Law Fellow, Frannie Monasterio, is currently working on a comprehensive resource outlining EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) water funding opportunities for Tribal communities to help address some of these gaps. This resource should be available shortly after the first of the year and focuses on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding. Anyone interested in this resource is encouraged to contact Frannie and provide feedback on how it may be improved for end users.

Overall, CRWUA was an exciting opportunity for the Getches-Wilkinson Center to talk with other water users about the most prescient issues. Unlike previous years, the conference was not full of signing ceremonies, or major groundbreaking revelations. Although, it did provide a space for water users to discuss what compromise might look like as we inch closer to 2026. Compromise comes in many different forms, and we are hopeful that we can all come together and provide long-lasting sustainable water management solutions for the Colorado River. Given that nearly 40 million people depend on the river in one form or another and climate change impacts are constantly moving the goal posts, we do not have the luxury of time on our side.

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42nd Annual Colorado Law Conference on Natural Resources

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

42nd Annual Colorado Law Conference on Natural Resources Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 06/25/2022 - 00:00

Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17

2026 May Be Too Late: Hard Conversations About Really Complicated Issues

There is no debate – demands for water across the Colorado River Basin exceed the shrinking supply. Chronic drought, record heat, increasing winds and aridity, as well as rampant wildfires are diminishing the Basin’s overall health and resilience. The historically low levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell have invited unprecedented federal action and raise the specter of a looming energy crisis. To ensure a sustainable future, these harsh realities will require inclusive collaborations and innovative actions. We brought together a broad array of expertise and diverse perspectives from across the region to candidly discuss these complex challenges. Throughout this conference we examined potential options to advance sustainable water management, expand basin-wide conservation in every sector, and strengthen watershed resilience.

Conference Recording

Conference Program

CLE Accreditation Notice

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New Report: The Value of Water in the Colorado River Basin

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:53:37 +0000

New Report: The Value of Water in the Colorado River Basin Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/07/2021 - 15:53

The Value of Water in the Colorado River Basin provides a snapshot of highly varied water values throughout each of the basin states.

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Colorado River Information Portal

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:34:30 +0000

Colorado River Information Portal Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/07/2021 - 15:34

Several organizations have compiled information useful to researchers, water users, and other parties interested in the past, present, and future of the Colorado River. Rather than recompiling this wealth of assembled data, this page is intended as a portal to direct interested parties to existing compilations. Resources are organized in three sections:

Colorado River Governance Initiative (CRGI) products
Other (third-party) compilations
Other useful links and collections

Colorado River Governance Initiatives products

The Colorado River Governance Initiative (CRGI) (an initiative of the Western Water Policy Program) is an ongoing project examining key legal and policy issues in the basin, and the types of processes and reforms that may be needed to reconcile the mismatch between growing water demands and declining long-term river flows. Resources (listed in reverse order of publication) include the following:

Colorado River Decision-Making Survey. Prepared by PhD graduate student John Berggren, this survey of CRWUA members summarizes opinions on a broad variety of topics, from how decisions are made to the nature of the basin’s problems and potential solutions. Conducted in 2016, the survey repeats (and then compares) answers to a similar survey administered in 2010. (December 2016)
Looking Upstream: Analysis of low water levels in Lake Powell and the impacts on Water Supply, Hydropower, Recreation, and the Environment (executive summary). Prepared for the WWPP by Michael Johnson, Lindsey Ratcliff, Rebecca Shively, and Leanne Weiss (MS, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies) (Spring, 2016). Download the full report. Additional information is available at lookingupstream.weebly.com. This report is the companion to the “Bathtub Ring” study of Lake Mead, listed below.
The Bathtub Ring. Shrinking Lake Mead: Impacts on Water Supply, Hydropower, Recreation and the Environment (this is the project brief; visit thebathtubring.weebly.com for additional information). Prepared for the WWPP by Ning Jiang, Season Martin, Julia Morton, and Skyler Murphy (MS, University of California, Santa Barbara) (May 2015)
The Value of Water in the Colorado River Basin: A Snapshot of a Fluid Landscape. Prepared for the WWPP by Brian Annes (JD/MA, University of Wyoming) (May 2015)
Restoring Sacred Waters: A Guide to Protecting Tribal Non-Consumptive Water Uses in the Colorado River Basin (June 2014)
Research Needs in the Colorado River Basin: A Summary of Policy-Related Topics to Explore Further in Support of Solution-Oriented Decision-Making (June 2014)
Cross-Boundary Water Transfers in the Colorado River Basin: A Review of Efforts and Issues Associated with Marketing Water Across State Lines or Reservation Boundaries (June 2013)
The Upper Basin Voluntary Demand Cap as a Means of Mitigating Legal Uncertainty in the Colorado River Basin: Modeling Results (April 2013)
Equity and the Colorado River: (Jason Robison and Douglas Kenney. Environmental Law, 42(4):1157-1209, 2013.)
Technical Memo: Does the Upper Basin have a Delivery Obligation or an Obligation Not to Deplete the Flow of the Colorado River at Lee Ferry? (April 2012)
Technical Memo: Respective Obligations of the Upper and Lower Basins Regarding the Delivery of Water to Mexico: A Review of Key Legal Issues (March 2012)
Law of the River compilations (January 2012). The following technical memos compile, in various ways, language from 20 key elements of the Law of the River primarily pertaining to water apportionments. As such, these memos are essentially technical appendices that inform the law and policy memos found in the CRGI library.

Compiled by Categories: Jurisdiction, Entitlements, Allocation Priorities, Transfers, and Governance.
Compiled by Law (table format and concise summary)

The Colorado River Law and Policy FAQ (version 2.0) (November, 2011)

The Organization and Status of the Department of Interior’s Programs and Studies on Climate Change in the Colorado River Basin (June, 2011)

Rethinking the Future of the Colorado River, the Year 1 CRGI Interim Report, which features the main report (focused on the supply/demand imbalance) and three technical appendices (December, 2010)

Video of the presentation of the Year 1 report at the annual meeting of the Colorado River Water Users Association (December, 2010)

Other (Third-Party) Compilations

For extensive and multi-faceted collections of resources, we recommend:

The Colorado River Research Group offers “an independent, scientific voice for the future of the Colorado River.”

Documents produced by the “Colorado River Future Project” advising the new Administration on Colorado River matters, based on over 50 interviews with key thought leaders in the basin:

Colorado River Policy: Opportunities for Tangible Progress (2016)
The Colorado River: A Roadmap for the Secretary of the Interior (2016)

The On the Colorado website, maintained by a multi-faceted consortium of NGOs, maintains an amazingly thorough collection of Colorado River news and events, law and policy documents, feature articles, and links to dozens of other organizations, websites, and sources.

The Western Water Assessment, a joint science-oriented project between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado, maintains a Colorado River page that includes headings for Law and Policy, River Use Management and Planning, Regional Hydrology and Geography, Climate Variability and Change, Drought Impacts and Management, Restoration and Conservation, and Management and Research Organizations, among others.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lists most of its Colorado River references at the Lower Colorado River office website. Particularly useful links include those associated with reservoir levels, water use patterns, and the law of the river. The site also houses information associated with the Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study, a joint study between Reclamation and the Basin states examining long-term issues of supplies, demands, and potential solutions. The website of the Upper Colorado River office has a wealth of information about Upper Basin facilities and environmental programs (including those associated with Glen Canyon).

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The Bathtub Ring Report Released

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 21:52:12 +0000

The Bathtub Ring Report Released Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/01/2015 - 15:52

The Bathtub Ring examines impacts to water deliveries, hydropower generation, recreation, and the environment as Lake Mead declines to the shortage levels of 1075', 1050', 1025', and 1000'.

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Western Water Policy Program

CRWUA Through the Eyes of Young Professionals

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June 5th and 6th: 2025 Conference on the Colorado River

Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads

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CRRG (Colorado River Research Group) Resumes Activity

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Flying with LightHawk: A Welcome New Perspective on the Colorado River

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2024 GWC Conference on the Colorado River

Next Chapters on the Colorado River: Short-Term Coping, Post-2026 Operations, and Beyond

Conference Agenda

Conference Photographs

Conference Recordings

Session 1, Parts 1 and 2

Session 1, Keynote and States Panel

Session 1, Tribes Panel and Session 2

Session 3

Session 4, Part 1

Session 4, Part 2

Session 4, Part 3

Thank you to our Conference Partners!

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Getches-Wilkinson Center Staff Attend 2023 CRWUA Annual Conference

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42nd Annual Colorado Law Conference on Natural Resources

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New Report: The Value of Water in the Colorado River Basin

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Colorado River Information Portal

Colorado River Governance Initiatives products

Other (Third-Party) Compilations

Other useful links and collections

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Next Chapters on the Colorado River:
Short-Term Coping, Post-2026 Operations, and Beyond