2023 Colorado River Forum

The annual Colorado River Forum brings together legislators from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming to review and discuss issues and opportunities related to the Colorado River Basin. At the meeting, members are provided updates on legislative action impacting the region, and progress reports on federal, state, tribal, and local initiatives aimed at protecting fisheries, environment and ecosystems, infrastructure, economies, and people of the Colorado River Basin. Issues of study and discussion this year will include:

Thursday, September 14

• The Current State of the Colorado River System Hydrology – Noe Santos, the Lower Colorado Basin River Operations Manager, U.S. Department of Interior
• The Seven State Agreement: Upper Basin Insights & Perspective – Brandon Gebhardt, Wyoming State Engineer, and Chris Brown, Office of Wyoming Attorney General
• The Seven State Agreement: Lower Basin Insights & Perspective – Greg Walch, Las Vegas Valley Water District
• 2026 and Beyond: Key Considerations for Future Governance
  • Carly Jerla, US Bureau of Reclamation
  • Brandon Gebhart (WY)
  • Greg Walch (NV)
  • Chris Brown (WY)
• Wyoming Water Development Commission – Jason Mead, Director
• Post 2026 Operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead
  • Brandon Gebhart, Wyoming State Engineer
  • Chris Brown, Office of Wyoming Attorney General
• Industrial Water Use in Wyoming – Aaron Reichel, Trona Industry
• Upper Basin System Conservation Pilot Program – Chuck Collum, Executive Director, Upper Colorado River Commission
• Conservation, Fisheries and Wetlands, and the Benefits of Flood Irrigation
  • Corey Toye, Trout Unlimited
  • Jennifer Lamb, The Nature Conservancy

Friday, September 15

• New Federal Investments in the Colorado River Basin – Grayford Payne, US Bureau of Reclamation