1. 7:30 a.m.

   Registration & Networking (breakfast)

2. 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. · Plenary

   At the Confluence: Where Water and Energy Futures Meet

   Every megawatt has a water footprint, and every gallon delivered requires power. Leaders from utilities, municipalities and industry will discuss how coordinated planning can reduce risk, improve resilience and support economic development.

   Moderator: Richard Werner, Upstate Colorado. Panelists: Jonathan Aust, United Power; Brett Cavanagh, Weld County; Sean Chambers, City of Greeley.

3. 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. · Water Session

   Colorado River Crisis

   Ongoing drought, compact obligations and federal negotiations continue to reshape how Colorado and downstream states share the river. Experts will discuss the latest policy developments, conservation requirements and what the river’s uncertain future means for Northern Colorado communities and agriculture.

   Moderator: Scott Franz, KUNC. Panelists: Fay Hartman, American Rivers; Zane Kessler, Colorado River District; Bart Miller, Western Resource Advocates; Amy Ostdiek, Colorado Water Conservation Board; Kyle Whitaker, Northern Water.

4. 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. · Energy Session

   The Digital Oilfield: Efficiency, Emissions and the Next Phase of Colorado Production

   Advanced sensors, real-time monitoring and AI-driven analytics are transforming oil and gas operations across the DJ Basin. Panelists will explore how digital technologies are improving efficiency, reducing emissions, lowering water use and reshaping regulatory compliance.

   Moderator: Dan Haley, Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development. Panelists: Lindsey Apland, Urban Solution Group; Carrie Goddard, Chevron; Cory Wagner, Liberty Energy.

5. 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. · Water Session

   Building for Thirst: Expanding Water Infrastructure in a Growth Economy

   As Northern Colorado adds residents and industry, municipalities and water districts are investing in new storage, treatment and delivery systems. This panel examines how projects are financed — from rate increases to bonds to impact fees — and what that means for businesses and households.

   Moderator: Scott Holwick, Lyons Gaddis. Panelists: Todd Gaston, WestWater Research; Jennifer Gimbel, CSU Colorado Water Center; Martin Lind, The Water Valley Company; Virgil Pierce, City of Greeley; Joe Taddeucci, City of Boulder.

6. 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. · Energy Session

   Energy’s Changing Rulebook

   The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, both in Colorado and nationally, from emissions standards to renewable mandates and local permitting authority. This session provides a practical look at how state and local rules are shaping energy development, grid planning and investment decisions.

   Moderator: Julie Murphy, Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission. Panelists: Chad Calvert, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Lynn Granger, COGA; Shea Kauffman, Prairie Operating Co.; Mimi Larsen, Brownstein.

7. 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. · Plenary

   “Powering the Cloud” Data Centers Drive Demand for Water, Energy

   As data centers expand across Colorado, they are becoming some of the largest consumers of both electricity and water. This session explores how cooling technologies, grid capacity, water sourcing and infrastructure planning intersect — and what it means for municipalities, utilities and economic development leaders.

   Moderator: Sandra Hagen Solin, Capitol Solutions. Panelists: Melissa Almond, Xcel Energy; Scott James, Weld County Commissioner; Nate Shriver, Rowan Digital Infrastructure; Grant Tupper, Select Water Solutions.

8. Noon

   Adjournment

Session and speaker details are from the 2026 program. For sponsorship information, contact Jeff Nuttall at jnuttall@bizwest.com.