The inaugural Water in the West Symposium, hosted by Colorado State University (CSU), will bring more than 400 leaders in water research, agriculture, policy, conservation, and education to Denver.
CSU and other partners have invested in creating a state-of-the-art Water Resources Center (WRC) to be housed at the National Western Center. The WRC will offer a collaborative space for partners from agriculture, utilities, academics, and recreational water stakeholders in a state-of-the-art facility. The WRC will focus on policy, innovation, education, and research, and will be capable of hosting multi-disciplinary programs and water conferences, as well as attracting students of all ages.
The Symposium will focus on engaging experts and leaders in thoughtful conversations and creating impact through the WRC.
Additionally, the Symposium will lead discussions on:
Emerging water research topics and collaboration opportunities
Innovation in driving creative solutions that address the needs of cities, food producers, and the environment
Policy work that will impact all water sectors, including advancing Colorado's State Water Plan
Educating and empowering youth and community members to engage with the WRC and issues around water
Speakers will include:
Secretary Sonny Perdue - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack - Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Michael Bennet - Senator, State of Colorado
John Hickenlooper - Governor, State of Colorado
Jerry Tinianow - Chief Sustainability Officer, City and County of Denver
Dr. Tony Frank - Chancellor, Colorado State University System & President, CSU
Amy Parsons - Executive Vice Chancellor, CSU System
Bruce Karas - VP of Environment & Sustainability, Coca-Cola North America
Dr. Reagan Waskom - Director, CSU Water Center and Colorado Water Institute
Dr. Richard Thorsten - Chief Programs Officer, Water.org
Becky Mitchell, Director - Colorado Water Conservation Board
Cynthia Lummis - Former U.S. Representative, Wyoming
Don Brown - Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture
Mike Reidy - Senior Vice President, Leprino Foods Company
Dan Haley - President & CEO, Colorado Oil and Gas Association
Russell George, J.D. - Chairman, Boettcher Foundation
Bart Miller - Healthy Rivers Program Director, Western Resource Advocates
Jim Lochhead - CEO, Denver Water
Tom Halverson - President and CEO, CoBank
Doug Kemper - Executive Director, Colorado Water Congress
Brad Udall - Senior Water & Climate Research Scientist, Colorado Water Institute, CSU
Mizraim Cordero - VP of Government Affairs, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Ted Kowalski - Senior Program Officer, Colorado Water Initiative, Walton Family Foundation
Gili Elkin - General Partner, Israel-Colorado Innovation Fund
Meagan Schipanski - Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture, CSU
Marco Ugarte - Sustainability Manager, MillerCoors
Kelly Brough - President and CEO, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Jim McQuarrie - Chief Innovation Officer, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District
Dr. Mazdak Arabi - Associate Professor, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, CSU
Jim Francis - Founder, Beverage Business Institute, CSU
Diane Barrett - Chief Projects Officer, City and County of Denver
Deborah Hamlin - CEO, Irrigation Association
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