JUNE 2nd, 2016: Animas Watershed Partnership Spring Forum. The Spring Forum will continue the discussion of improving water quality in the Animas River with people in Colorado, the Southern Ute Tribe and New Mexico to keep the Animas healthy, productive and fun. Benjamin Nance and Dr. Steven Fenster, Fort Lewis College Department of Biology will present: A Study of Potentially Pathogenic E. Coli Bacteria Found in the Animas River: An Update. AWP will also share: Levels of E. coli and Nutrients Measured in the Lower Florida and Animas Rivers in 2014 and 2015. The Forum will be held between 6:00 pm-7:30 pm in the Durango Public Library, 900 East 3rd Ave, Durango, CO 81301. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome! For more information, contact Rachel Hoffman, AWP Outreach Coordinator healthyanimas.awp@gmail.com, or go to animaswatershedpartnership.org.
JUNE 2nd - 5th, 2016: The 36th Annual Yampa River Festival. Join Friends of the Yampa for over $2000 in prizes, tons of fun, and major bragging rights! Schedule of Events include: Local film maker Greg Hamilton Presents "The Power of the River" as the feature documentary; Fish Creek Race; After-party at Sake2U with DJ Steezy Nicks; and a Kayak Slalom Race at Dr. Rich Weiss Park. For full events schedule and more information, visit www.FriendsOfTheYampa.com.
JUNE 4th, 2016: NATIONAL TRAIL DAY STEWARDSHIP at the Mountain Park Environmental Center. Come help the Mountain Park Environmental Center celebrate National Trails Day by becoming a trails steward and improving and maintaining existing trails within the Pueblo Mountain Park, located in the beautiful Beulah Valley. What better way to celebrate National Trails Day than becoming invested in your Pueblo Mountain Park. Free! Lunch will be provided for volunteers.This event takes place between 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Registration ends June 2nd. Location: Pueblo Mountain Park - Horseshoe Lodge, 9112 Mountain Park Rd Beulah, CO 81023. For more information, www. hikeandlearn.org.
JUNE 4th, 2016: Western Slope Conservation Center’s 16th Annual Float and Fest. Float Start: 9:00 am at the Paonia River Park. Festival: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Paonia River Park. Put-in will be at the Paonia River Park and take-out will be at the Delta County Fairgrounds. There will be a shuttle to transport floaters back to the River Park for lunch catered by Delicious Orchards and a festival. The festival is FREE to everyone, even those who did not float! Registration for the float closes May 27th. More details about the event can be found HERE.
JUNE 4th, 2016: 3rd Annual Poudre RiverFest from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Legacy Park, Fort Collins, CO. Poudre RiverFest is a FREE, family-friendly festival that restores, celebrates and educates people about the Cache la Poudre River. For a complete listing of activities visit the website www.PoudreRiverFest.org.
JUNE 4th, 2016: Roaring Fork Conservancy's 12th Annual River Float starting at 8:00 am starting at Coryell Ranch, Carbondale. Spend a morning with Roaring Fork Conservancy staff and river ambassadors as they float the Roaring Fork River! After the float, join them at Coryell Ranch for a cook-out, music, and the opportunity to try stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, fly rods and the latest gear from local outfitter shops. Space is limited and registration is required! Go to www.roaringfork.org.
JUNE 5th, 2016: Celebrate World Environment Day with the Institute for Environmental Solutions at Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery. Jagged Mountain is the host of this fundraiser for IES, donating $1 for every beer consumed on June 5! Cleaner water = better beer! Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery is located at 1139 20th Street (at Lawrence Street) in lower downtown Denver, will . Enjoy great beer, find out how cleaner water makes better beer, and learn what you can do to protect Colorado water. Please join the IES team between 12 noon and 9 pm. There will be prize drawings throughout the day to win great, local merchandise. More information: Carol Lyons, Carol@i4es.org.
JUNE 7th, 2016: The Water Connection’s Program featuring speakers from Metro Wastewater Reclamation District who will talk about their innovative Integrated Plan from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (please arrive by 1:15 pm). This event will be held at The Daniels Fund Building, 101 Monroe Street, Denver, CO. Please RSVP todevon@thewaterconnection.org.
JUNE 7th & 8th, 2016: Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) Bear Creek Watershed Bike Tour! CFWE is offering half-day bike tours. Pedal through the Bear Creek watershed, southwest of Denver, to discover how groups are reclaiming and protecting urban waterways. See first-hand water quality improvement projects, recreation along the creek, long-term watershed planning and community education and stewardship. Registration is free but required. Find the draft itinerary, times and registration for tour dates HERE.
JUNE 8th & 9th, 2016: COLORADO RIVER BASIN SALINITY CONTROL FORUM. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum is an organization of the seven Colorado River Basin states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The purposes of the Forum are to coordinate salinity control efforts among the states, coordinate with federal agencies on the implementation of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program (Program), work with Congress on the authorization and funding of the Program, act to disseminate information on salinity control and otherwise promote efforts to reduce the salt loading to the Colorado River.Keystone Conference Center, 633 Conference Center Drive, Keystone, CO 80435. For more information visit their website.
JUNE 9th, 2016: 2016 Watershed Summit: Water Is Your Business. This FREE event is designed to bring together water experts and the next generation of water leaders from across the region. Attendees will help develop the dialogue around current water issues and practical solutions for addressing them. This year’s event will be held at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206. For more information click HERE.
JUNE 9th & 10th, 2016: Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences. This is the 2016 Martz Summer Conference held by the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment. In the southwestern USA, the looming water shortages on the Colorado River system and the unprecedented drought in California are garnering the attention. This conference will explore several salient topics including: trans‐boundary cooperation, water marketing, Indigenous water rights, environmental and social water needs, and drought coping. For more info go to www.colorado.edu/law/research/gwc/events.
JUNE 10th - 11th, 2016: Uncompahgre Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration overnight camp out field trip. Mark your calendars for this fun and fascinating 2-day event. Some likely stops during the trip include the Columbine spruce regeneration study site, interesting sites where there are historic General Land Office records and the Dave Wood prescribed fire treatment. For more information visit the Uncompahgre Partnership website at, www.UPartnership.org.
JUNE 11th, 2016: Runoff Runoff: Run along the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project (RGHRP) and the Willow Creek Reclamation Committee (WCRC) will be hosting the Runoff Runoff marathon, half marathon, and 6K along the Rio Grande! Surrounded by beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains, the Runoff Runoff marathon, half marathon, and 6K follow the scenic headwaters of the Rio Grande ending in the historic mountain town of Creede, Colorado. Following the races, there will be a fun celebration and music festival for the whole family at the Creede Ball Park, complete with live music, local beer, barbecue, and prizes! All proceeds go to the RGHRP and the WCRC, two local non-profits working to improve Willow Creek and the Rio Grande through river restoration. To learn more and to register for the event, visit www.runoffrunoff.com.
JUNE 14th, 2016: Colorado Water Trust is celebrating 15-Years of restoring and protecting stream flows from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Denver Botanic Gardens. For more information go to http://www.coloradowatertrust.org. To purchase your tickets click HERE.
JUNE 20th, 2016: Environmental Learning for Kids invites you to Dine Out for ELK! At 50|4U at Next Door Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202. 50|4U will donate 50% of sales from participating tables for environmental learning from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Be sure to mention to you're server that you are there for Environmental Learning for Kids!
JUNE 21st - 22nd, 2016: Colorado Foundation for Water Education Gunnison River Basin Tour hosted in conjunction with the Colorado Water Workshop. Gain an appreciation for this beautiful part of the state as they travel off the beaten path with VIP access to exclusive sites to develop a better understanding of the many values of water. For tour information go to www.yourwatercolorado.org.
JUNE 22nd – 24th, 2016: 41st Annual Colorado Water Workshop: Where the Water Meets the Land. Sessions include; Measuring Water in the Ground: Resiliency through Droughts, Getting water back into the ground: role of wetlands and wet areas, Land Use Planning and Water Conservation, and Urban Water Source Protection. COME FOR THE WORKSHOP, STAY FOR THE FESTIVAL! THE GUNNISON RIVER FESTIVAL BEGINS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 24. Contact Workshop director Jeff Sellen at jsellen@western.edu for more information about sponsorships and scholarships. Registration for the workshop will begin in April.
JUNE 23rd, 2016: The Consortium for Research and Education on Emerging Contaminants (CREEC) meeting will be held at 1:30 PM at the Boulder Reservoir Treatment Facility, 5605 North 63rd St, Boulder. Presentations will be given by: Xin Xiao, CSM, " Biochar or activated carbon for the removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in AFFF-impacted groundwater"; Garrett Mckay, CU, “Common water treatment techniques enhance the production of reactive intermediates from EfOM photolysis: Potential for enhanced contaminant removal”; and Jeramy Jasmann, "Advanced electrochemical oxidation (AEO) treatments for aqueous pollutants employing synergistic benefits from inter-electrode TiO2 catalysts or microbial stimulation". Please RSVP to wbattagl@usgs.gov or clarkke@bouldercolorado.gov, if you plan on attending.
JUNE 24th & 25th, 2016: 14th Annual Gunnison River Festival. An annual river event that embraces river and stream activities, education and the celebration of the Gunnison River Basin. For festival information visit their website, www.gunnisonriverfestival.com.
JUNE 25th, 2016: The 9th annual Ridgway RiverFest “Celebrating our Watershed” offers a full day of fun for all ages on the banks of the Uncompahgre River. With activities from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm in Rollans Park, Ridgway, Colorado, this popular outdoor festival is organized by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership to shine a light on local water resources while bringing together the community and visitors to enjoy a full line-up of riverside and in-stream activities and entertainment. Festival highlights include an all-age river races including the “Junk of the Unc” race on hand-made crafts plus stand up paddleboard, hard shell boat and inflatable boat categories, a whitewater rodeo and a special river rescue demonstration, live music by blues guitarist and vocalist Kipori “Baby Wolf” Woods and local beers from Colorado Boy and 2 Rascals breweries. The RiverFest schedule, race registration and other details are at ridgwayriverfest.org.
JUNE 28th, 2016: BMW Watershed Tour. The tour will be meeting at Barr Lake State Park at 9:30 am, getting a tour of the East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District facilities reverse osmosis water treatment plant and enjoying a delicious BBQ at Pelican Lake Ranch facilities at Milton Reservoir. Tour ends at 1:30 pm. Interested participants are encouraged to RSVP to Amy Conklin at amy.conklin@comcast.net.
AUGUST 3rd – 5th, 2016: The Annual San Juan Mining and Reclamation Conference. This conference is designed to educate the public and other stakeholders on the science and policy of mining, mine lands remediation, and water quality as it relates to non-point source pollution, improving mining practices, and addressing water quality impairments through workshops, field tours, and presentations. This year’s conference is scheduled to be held in Durango and Silverton, Colorado. For more information click HERE.
AUGUST 24th - 26th, 2016: The Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference and Membership Meeting. The 2016 conference will be held at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort. A don't miss event for those who wish to stay informed about water issues in Colorado while engaging in numerous professional development activities. Registration is now open.
SEPTEMBER 16th - 18th, 2016: The 5th Annual Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour features the open range and star-filled nights of Southeast Colorado; a region steeped in history and bound together by its hometown values! Join them this fall and roam vast beautiful grasslands and pedal along the Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway; visit Bent’s Old Fort; befriend local farmers and ranchers; and have a boot-stomp’n good ol’ time! For more information click HERE.
3-Day Tour
151 miles
September 16-18
Ordway • Fowler • La Junta
Registration Includes: Jersey, Water Bottle, Finisher's Medal, Locally Sourced Lunches, Beer Gardens, Live Entertainment, Educational Offerings and Route Support.
Century Ride
100 miles
September 17
Fowler to La Junta
Registration Includes: Jersey, Finisher’s Medal, Pancake Breakfast, Locally Sourced Lunch, Beer Garden, Live Entertainment, Educational Offerings, Route Support and Shuttle Service.
Family Fun Ride
5 miles
September 17
La Junta
Registration Includes: T-shirt, Lapel Pin, Pancake Breakfast, Aid Station, Games, Best Bike Decorating Contest and Best Costume Contest.
SEPTEMBER 16th, 2016: The Greenway Foundation Blue Moon After Party on the Bridge will be held on the Historic 19th Street Bridge, one night after The Greenway Foundation's annual, Noble Energy Gala on the Bridge. The 2016 event featuring eats, cocktails, and amazing live music - all included in the ticket price! Proceeds from the Blue Moon After Party on the Bridge support The Greenway Foundation's longstanding efforts to protect and enhance the South Platte River and its tributaries, and to engage the Metro Denver community with their river through educational programming and free cultural events. For information and tickets click HERE.
SEPTEMBER 23rd - 25th, 2016: Colorado Annual Student Water Field Conference hosted by Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colo. Itinerary includes dinner at Fruita State Park, a tour of river restoration and diversions along Colorado River’s Riverfront Trail in Grand Junction, followed by a farm tour and a farm dinner in the lower Grand Valley. Students work in groups to develop plans for sharing what they have learned when they return home. For additional information, contact Gigi Richard at: 970.248.1689, grichard@coloradomesa.edu.
SEPTEMBER 25th – 28th, 2016: Geological Society of America (GSA) 2016 meeting to be held in Denver. GSA’s mission includes: Scientific Research, Scientific Communication, Geologic Time, Technological Innovation, Geologic Hazards, Sustainability, and Natural Resources. Registration, technical programs, poster sessions, and exhibits will be held at the Colorado Convention Center. GSA Field Trips will also depart from the Colorado Convention Center. The Hyatt Regency Denver at CCC is the headquarter hotel where the majority of non-technical events will be held.Meeting abstracts are due July 12. For more information click HERE.
OCTOBER 11th - 13th, 2016: SAVE THE DATE - 2016 Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference: A River Runs Out of It: Building Strong Upstream Communities. The Colorado Watershed Assembly in partnership with the Colorado Foundation for Water Education and the Colorado Riparian Association hosts this conference focused on cooperation and collaboration throughout Colorado in natural resource conservation, protection, and enhancement. Registration Opens July 2016!
NOVEMBER 2nd & 3rd, 2016: The Sixth Annual Upper Colorado River Basin Forum will be held at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. The theme is"Complex Systems in Flux: Changing Relationships between Water, People and the Environment." They have a CALL FOR ABSTRACTS on presentation proposals from water managers, policy makers, scholars and other stakeholders. The call for abstracts is available here.