2024 Agenda

8:00 am – 9:00 am

Managing Uncertainty

From the vagaries of weather and water supplies to natural or manmade disasters, uncertainties that plague supply of water present enormous challenges for water professionals. Wildfires, floods and even forced shutdowns of electricity can devastate water supplies and force water managers to act quickly to avoid disaster. How do the region’s water professionals prepare for the unknown?

9:10 am – 10:10 am

Water-Intensive Industries

Agriculture is an enormous user of water in Colorado, but other sectors also drive demand. From data centers to life sciences, brewing to energy, chip manufacturing to food processing, some of the region’s fastest-growing sectors also require the most water. How do these longstanding or up-and-coming sectors affect water demand, and how can water providers prepare?

10:20 am – 11:20 am

Transitioning Senior Water Rights

Major utilities are shifting away from fossil-fuel-driven power plants toward renewables, potentially freeing up vast senior water rights. What will happen to those senior water portfolios, and how can the region best make use of those resources?

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

The CO-WY Engine

The Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine represents a major research program for the two states. By focusing on innovative solutions in areas such as wildfire mitigation, water resource management, sustainable agriculture and adaptation to extreme weather events, the CO-WY Climate Resilience Engine is poised to revolutionize how we understand, predict and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

12:40 pm – 1:40 pm

Building Performance Standards

Local, state and federal authorities are moving quickly to implement new building performance standards. What goals, policies, incentives and penalties should be top of mind for owners of commercial buildings?

1:50 pm – 2:50 pm

Zero Emissions Transportation

Battery and electric-vehicle companies have faced enormous challenges in the past two years, with layoffs, bankruptcies and other failures. What forces are driving these challenges, and what can be done to turn the tide?

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

From Ratepayer to Partner

Utility customers used to be just ratepayers, but they’re increasingly becoming partners of traditional utility companies through use of virtual power plants. How can utilities best prepare for this “new normal,” and what opportunities exist for companies and individuals who now find themselves to be net generators of electricity?

“Water is emerging as one of the most important and controversial subjects to be addressed in the 21st century. Water issues are particularly complex, and understanding the nuances is critical for good decision-making.”

Water Literate Leaders of Northern Colorado Program

Register

From energy to waste, an increasing number of cities are seeking to achieve aggressive sustainability-related goals. But what does it mean to be “net-zero?”
This event will unpack what it means for cities and counties and the reason behind the movement,
as well as address implications for the private sector and the regional population at large.