CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
December 16
Welcome | VIDEO ⟶
President’s Remarks: Gene Shawcroft, CRWUA President
Tribal Prayer: Jimmy W. Garcia, Vice President, Jicarilla Apache Nation
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Heather Hansman, Writer | PDF ⟶
Colorado River 101: Compact through 2006
– This session will set a baseline of foundational knowledge of the Law of the River in its early days, beginning with pre-compact rights, the development of the Colorado River compact, and exploring policy developments up through 2006, including Mexican river policies. | VIDEO ⟶
- Rhett Larson: Professor of Water Law, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University | PDF ⟶
Colorado River 101: 2007-Present – Our 101 series continues! Starting where our last 101 ended, in this session, Anne Castle will lead Jeff Kightlinger and Jim Lochhead in a discussion of recent events on the Colorado River, focusing on the period since 2007 when the Interim Guidelines were put in place and how that has set the stage for where the Colorado River community is today. | VIDEO ⟶ | PDF ⟶
- Moderator: Anne Castle, Senior Fellow, Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, University of Colorado Law School
- Jeffrey Kightlinger, Principal, Acequia Consulting, LLC
- Jim Lochhead, Consultant, Jim Lochhead LLC
Tribes’ Contributions to Conservation and Storage – This session will explore the various ways that the Basin Tribes have contributed to water conservation and storage programs that have supported the River system, as well as the innovative ideas they have to expand on such opportunities in a post-2026 management framework. These tribal representatives will highlight the active and creative roles the Basin Tribes are playing in helping meet the challenges facing the river upon which we all rely. | VIDEO ⟶
U.S. – Mexico Panel | VIDEO ⟶
- Moderator: Sally Spener, Secretary, U.S. Section, International Boundary & Water Commission
- David Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Bureau of Reclamation
- Adriana Resendez, Mexico Commissioner, International Boundary & Water Commission
- Africa Zepeda, U.S. Border Affairs Director, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Relations
Dispelling Water Management Misconceptions – This session challenges common misconceptions—like the idea that stopping “free river” conditions or expanding water reuse alone can solve the water crisis. We’ll explore the complex wet-water realities behind phrases like “more crop per drop” and the safety of direct potable reuse. We’ll also dispell the belief that human needs are inherently at odds with environmental health. The discussion will also provide perspective on how misconceptions can skew progress toward securing the Colorado River’s future for all.
- Shannon Mullane, Colorado River Reporter, The Colorado Sun
- Aubrey Bettencourt, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture | PDF ⟶
- Celene Hawkins, Colorado River Program Director, The Nature Conservancy | PDF ⟶
- Bart Miller, Healthy Rivers Director, Western Resource Advocates | PDF ⟶
- Jason Turner, Deputy General Counsel, Colorado River Water Conservation District | PDF ⟶
- Max Wilson, Water Resources Management Advisor, City of Phoenix | PDF ⟶
Navigating Rapid Policy Changes – Recent Supreme Court Rulings and federal policy changes are reshaping cornerstone laws like the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act—along with the role of federal agencies under Loper Bright. We will move beyond the headlines to analyze the practical consequences of this new legal and procedural landscape.
- Moderator: Greg Walch, General Counsel, Southern Nevada Water Authority
- Samantha Barncastle, Executive Director, Family Farm Alliance
- Bret Birdsong, Professor of Law, William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas | PDF ⟶
- Ted Boling, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP
- Daniel Cordalis, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
- Emily Lewis, Partner, Culp & Kelly, LLP
Advancing Solutions for Water Scarcity – This session highlights innovative strategies to address water scarcity through various methods. Information will be shared related to Utah’s Demand Management Pilot, and Colorado Water Trust’s “Just Add Water” campaign, to expanding clean water access. Also shared will be lessons from the Quantification Settlement Agreement, and new funding opportunities from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona. | PDF ⟶
- Moderator: Bill Hasencamp, Manager, Colorado River Resources, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Alexandra Davis, Assistant General Manager, Aurora Water, Water Supply and Demand | PDF ⟶
- Amy Haas, Executive Director, Colorado River Authority of Utah | PDF ⟶
- Amy McCoy, Partner, Fluent Freshwater Insights | PDF ⟶
- Chelsea McGuire, Director, Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona | PDF ⟶
- Kate Ryan, Executive Director, Colorado Water Trust | PDF ⟶
- Tina Shields, Water Manager, Imperial Irrigation District | PDF ⟶
Science & Innovation to Support Sound Management – This session will delve into the latest climate and hydrologic science, exploring how new findings are helping us better understand the dynamics of the Colorado River basin. We’ll also highlight technological advances that are revolutionizing water management. The discussion will focus on practical applications, providing insights into how science and innovation can be leveraged to improve water management strategies for both municipal and agricultural sectors. Ultimately, the goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to build more resilient and sustainable water management practices in the face of changing conditions.
- Moderator: Faith Kearns, Director of Research Communications, Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, Arizona State University
- Katharine Jacobs, Director, Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions, University of Arizona, Arizona Institute for Resilience
- Julie Kalansky, Deputy Director of Operations, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes
- Raj Khosla, Dean, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University
- Sara Larsen, Chief Executive Officer, OpenET
- Brian Sherman, Chief Executive Officer, NSH Futures Engine in the Southwest
- Charles Yackulic, Research Statistician, Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey
December 18
Business Meeting
Near-Term Analysis of Colorado River Basin Storage | VIDEO ⟶
Perspectives from the Basin States Commissioners | VIDEO ⟶
- Facilitator: Keith Burron, Vice President, CRWUA
- Brandon Gebhart, Wyoming
- John J. Entsminger, Nevada
- Gene Shawcroft, Utah
- Tom Buschatzke, Arizona
- Becky Mitchell, Colorado
- JB Hamby, California
- Estevan López, New Mexico
Adjournment
- Gene Shawcroft, CRWUA President