2026 AWS Agenda

How dry was it? The western United State just lived through a record-breaking drought year. We have all been reading the news, so we won’t bore you with too many details, but this year was unlike any we’ve seen, so we need to set the stage for the “why” for the rest of the day.

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Colorado’s state climatologist will dive into how one of the most unusual runoff seasons in recent memory is reshaping the way climate scientists think about the future of the Colorado River. Schumacher will discuss where historical models no longer match today’s reality, the key questions researchers are asking, lessons learned from this year’s hydrology, and how new data and forecasting tools are helping water managers make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain future.

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During his keynote, Andy Mueller will explore how the Colorado River District is acting to protect West Slope water against today’s immediate challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s uncertainty. Emerging risks will continue to shape the West Slope, including risks to agriculture, aging water infrastructure, interstate threats to Colorado’s water future, and the need for durable, locally driven solutions.

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This is a primer for the following panel with a “get up to speed” summary of the timeline around post-2026 negotiations and a snapshot of where we are in the decision-making process.

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The interstate panel will provide an engaging and balanced view of the current state of the management policies of the Colorado River System. The panel will delve into impacts, experiences, and the priorities of various stakeholders looking at what solutions are currently being pursued.

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Join U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd for a conversation about their work to advance the Shoshone effort and secure a historic federal investment in the project along with a broader discussion of federal agriculture and natural resource policy priorities.

In conversation with Amy Moyer, Colorado River District Chief of Strategy.

Colorado’s water law governs who has the right to water but administering over 150,000 water rights across the state is no easy task, even in ideal conditions. This presentation will provide insight into what this year demanded of DWR and its staff, along with the agency’s top priorities as we head into water year 2027.

In conversation with Jay Seaton, publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

This panel brings together agricultural producers to share firsthand perspectives on navigating one of the most challenging irrigation seasons in recent memory, the difficult decisions they’ve faced, and what those experiences reveal about the road ahead. Together, they’ll explore the impacts of strategic reservoir releases, the lessons emerging from this year’s challenges, and the policies, investments, and partnerships needed to strengthen agricultural resilience for the future.

The ground has shifted in the conversation around drinking water after this summer. Drought conditions and administrative pressures required quick responses and clear communication. Representatives from municipal and domestic water providers will share how they adapted their approach to water management and how they got the message across to the people who rely on them to keep their taps running.