Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads
On Thursday, June 5th and Friday, June 6th, the Getches-Wilkson Center and the Water & Tribes Initiative hosted the 45th Annual Colorado Law Conference on Natural Resources. As efforts to finalize the post-2026 Interim Guidelines ramp up, the aptly titled Turning Hindsight into Foresight: The Colorado River at a Crossroads gathered attorneys, government officials, tribal leaders, NGO representatives, students, filmmakers, and academics to reflect on the successes and failures of the past to facilitate a discussion of how to better manage the Colorado River in the future.Ìý
Day 1 kicked off with inspiring tales of the rich history and culture of the Colorado River by author Craig Childs and professor Patty Limerick. Their impressive storytelling set the mood for the rest of the conference by underscoring the immense value of this natural resource and the importance of ensuring a more sustainable future for the river and the people who rely on it. Soon after, a panel of experts reviewed the legal principles and agreements that shaped the last set of rules for managing the Colorado River. Paired with insightful questions from the audience, the result was a truly interactive and stimulating experience.
The following presentations, which centered on the role of agriculture in shaping the region’s water budget, laid out the harsh reality that without meaningful change there is not enough water available to meet everyone’s needs. Brian Richter’s segment, Reconciling the Math of Agricultural Water Use, provided a hard-hitting overview of the numbers that go into agricultural water consumption, a perspective that is ever so vital in setting the course for future management guidelines. Day 1 came to a close with a speech by Roger Fragua from the Flower Hill Institute that highlighted the need for cooperation and compassion, instilling a sense of purpose and commonality that perfectly teed up a lovely happy hour reception.Ìý
Day 2 began with an update from tribal leaders and representatives on their current situations and concerns for the future. For much of our history, tribal voices have been excluded from the decision-making process, so it was deeply impactful to hear their perspectives shared with clarity, strength, and vision. Next on the agenda was a film screening of What the River KnowsÌýthat not only shined a light on the environmental and cultural significance of Glen Canyon, but it gave the audience an opportunity to appreciate the raw beauty of the region through stunning cinematography and documentation. Rounding out day 2, presentations from state and federal officials uncovered the competing interests of the varied stakeholders that rely on the Colorado River. Despite some disagreements, the overarching theme of cooperation and understanding gave way to a sense of hope that an equitable agreement is within reach.Ìý
Bringing the conference to a close was a discussion on the long-term goals and aspirations for successful management of the Colorado River. Turning hindsight into foresight, this panel reflected one last time on where we came from and how those lessons of the past can empower us to achieve a brighter future and ensure the health of the Colorado River for generations to come.Ìý