SWCD’s 42nd Annual Southwest Water Seminar Draws a Full House for “One Watershed: Many Voices”
SWCD’s 42nd Annual Southwest Water Seminar Draws a Full House for “One Watershed: Many Voices”
Story by Elaine Chick – Water Information Program Manager/SWCD Seminar Producer
The Southwestern Water Conservation District’s 42nd Annual Southwest Water Seminar, One Watershed: Many Voices, brought together a sold-out audience of approximately 270 participants on March 27, 2026, at the Sky Ute Casino Resort. The strong turnout reflected the growing importance of collaborative dialogue around water in Southwest Colorado.
Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the region, including district water managers, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal representatives, Fort Lewis College students, conservation organizations, and representatives from state and federal agencies, alongside engaged members of the public. This diverse participation embodied the seminar’s theme - bringing many voices together around a shared watershed.
The day featured a dynamic agenda, designed to move beyond discussion and toward meaningful understanding and action. Panels explored critical intersections of water quantity and quality, recreation and local economies, and the complex pathways through which water decisions are made.
A standout moment of the seminar was the keynote session featuring Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell, who delivered a powerful and passionate call to action as negotiations continue on the future operating guidelines for the Colorado River. Speaking candidly about the realities facing the basin, she underscored the urgency and complexity of the moment, noting, “Operations must be supply-based, not demand-based, not entitlement justified, and not built on a hope that the next big year will save us. That harm will be irreversible, because the Colorado River is not too big to fail.” Her remarks reinforced the need to align water use with the realities of a changing climate. She also highlighted the growing impact of water shortages on agricultural communities, noting that reduced river flows in recent years have placed increasing pressure on producers - particularly in southwestern Colorado, which is among the regions most affected by ongoing shortages.
During the shared keynote presentation with Commissioner Mitchell, Colorado State Engineer Jason Ullman provided a statewide update on water conditions, noting below-average snowpack in the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins, as well as the growing influence of climate variability on water supply. He also emphasized the importance of interstate compacts and Colorado’s legal obligations, underscoring how water management decisions in the state are shaped by both local conditions and downstream commitments.
Heather Hansman, journalist and author of Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West, shared insights from her travels along the Green River, weaving together stories of the landscapes and communities she encountered. Her perspective offered a narrative backdrop to the broader policy and management discussions explored throughout the day.
The seminar also marked the debut of the short documentary, Lifelines of the Land: The CCC Ditch Story, produced through the Water Information Program in collaboration with Moxicran Media, with additional support from the Southwest Basins Roundtable and the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) grant. The film highlights the deep connection between water, agriculture, history, and community in Southwest Colorado, weaving together the voices of multi-generational ranchers, local historians, and new farmers. It was met with resounding applause, an indication of how deeply the story resonated with the audience.
Throughout the day, engagement was high, with thoughtful questions, meaningful dialogue, and strong participation across all sessions. The energy in the room reflected not only the urgency of the issues at hand, but also a shared commitment to collaboration and problem-solving across sectors and perspectives.
The success of this year’s seminar would not have been possible without the generous support of partners, speakers, and moderators who contributed their time, expertise, and leadership. Their collective efforts continue to strengthen the region’s ability to address complex water challenges through informed discussion and cooperative action. SWCD extends a big thank you to all of our presenters.
As conversations around the future of water in the Colorado River Basin continue to evolve, the Southwest Water Seminar remains a vital forum for bringing together diverse perspectives, elevating regional voices, and fostering the connections needed to move from dialogue to action.
Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD)
841 E. Second Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
970.247.1302