Past Event
Colorado River Forum
Phoenix, Arizona
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:
- The Current State of the Colorado River System Hydrology
- Water Banking 101
- Water Use, Re-Use, Recycling, and Conservation in the Desert
- Current Status of Post-2026 Operating Guidelines
- 2026 and Beyond: Key Considerations for Future Governance
- Irrigated Agriculture in Arizona: This is How We Do It
- Tribal Water Right Decisions Impacting the Colorado River
The Colorado River Forum will convene in Phoenix, AZ, to share up-to-date information from around the Basin, engage federal and tribal partnerships on developments impacting the region, and raise the dialogue and understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing western legislators.
Presentations
Monday, November 18
- Current Hydrology in the Colorado Basin and BoR Responses – Shana Tigi, Hydrologist in the River Operations Group, Bureau of Reclamation
- The Big Picture: Post 2026 Guidelines and EIS Work in Progress – Russ Callejo, Colorado River Post-2026 NEPA Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation
- Post-2026 Operating Guidelines Proposals: Upper Basin, Lower Basin, Tribal and Environmental – Anne Castle, Water Policy Group
- Adapting to the Colorado River of the 21st Century: a thirstier atmosphere, low-to-no snow and flow, and compounding extremes – Alan Rhoades, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Open ET and the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine – Dr. Sean McKenna, Executive Director for Hydrologic Sciences Desert Research Institute
- Tribal Water Agreements, Settlements, and Decisions – MacArthur Stant II, Water Rights Attorney Navajo Nation Department of Justice
- Water Use and Conservation in Lower Basin
Tuesday, November 19
- Water Banking: Framework and Fundamentals – Dr. Kathryn Sorensen, Kyl Center for Water Policy University of Arizona
- Salt River Project: Bringing Water to Arizona – Leslie Meyers, Assistant General Manager Salt River Project
- Colorado River Basin Energy Outlook
- Anna Evans, Policy Manager Interwest Energy Alliance
- Sheri Farag, Manager Public Power Relations, Salt River Project
- Jordy Fuentes, Executive Director, Arizona Power Authority
- Solar Panel Covered Canals – George Cairo, Cairo Engineering LLC
- Water and Irrigation Management in Yuma County – Wade Noble, Wellton Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District
- On Farm Water Irrigation Efficiency Program
- Representative Tim Dunn
- Jody Fuentes, Executive Director, Arizona Power Authority
- Ethan Orr, University of Arizona
- Stephanie Knight–Dubien, Arizona Agribusiness
