CEFF 2022 All-Virtual Festival

Green Bag Lunch & Learn: Our Shared Water Future (Free)

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Stream began March 3, 2022 7:00 PM UTC
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Water Connects Coloradans across the Continental Divide, from the headwaters of the Colorado River, to metro Denver and beyond. Projects to move water from one river basin to another have enabled Colorado cities, industry and economic development, but not without impacts. This panel will explore transbasin diversions and collaborative work in headwaters regions to mitigate impacts and restore natural ecological functions, while also looking at what cities like Denver are doing to make imported water go further through water recycling and reuse and a "One Water" model. It will also feature the results of decades of work on the urban South Platte to renew the river as a natural amenity with recreational, environmental and economic benefits. 



Panelist Lauren Berent Burgess - Engagement Director, The Greenway Foundation

Lauren started with The Greenway Foundation as a seasonal educator for SPREE Summer Camps in 2014. She spent 3 great years as part of the education staff, and then transitioned into a bigger engagement role. She leads the coordinating community programs and events, plus leads water programs such as our Clean Water Challenge. Lauren grew up in Michigan, and after attending the University of Michigan to earn both a BA and MS in Aquatic Sciences and Sustainable Systems. Lauren enjoys exploring Colorado through hiking, camping, and snowboarding!


Panelist ​Richard Newton - Board Member, Colorado River Headwaters Chapter

Rich began fishing in Grand County in 1971. He moved here permanently in 1976. Since that time, he has seen the flows of the Fraser River and the Colorado greatly reduced due to trans mountain diversions. He has seen hatches either diminish drastically or disappear completely from our home waters due, at least in part, to lower flows and higher stream temperatures. It is Rich’s hope that organizations such as TU along with help from government agencies and others will be able to protect our resource from future degradation. Rich is proud to be the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Headwaters Chapter, and hopes that he can make a real contribution to TU’s efforts.