Panel Discussion: Confronting Scarcity on the Colorado River

As the worst snowpack and runoff in decades threatens to strain our already scarce shared water resources, how we manage and conserve water has never been more important. This conversation brings together local voices from across key water-use sectors — agriculture, municipal, and environmental stewardship — to explore how each is navigating uncertainty and adapting to change. This panel discussion, presented by Aspen Journalism in collaboration with the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University will be followed by an audience Q&A. Hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine will be provided.

Panelists include Tina Bergonzini, general manager of the Grand Valley Water Users Association; Dave Payne, assistant manager of Ute Water; Matt Rice, southwest regional director of American Rivers; and Raquel Flinker, director of interstate and regional water resources for the Colorado River District. Aspen Journalism Water Desk Editor Heather Sackett will moderate.

Location:
Colorado Mesa University, University Center – UC West Ballroom, 1455 N 12th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501. The University Center building is #61 on the linked Campus Map.

Date and Time:
Wednesday, May 6. Doors at 5:15 p.m., event begins at 5:30 and will wrap up by 7 p.m.

MEET THE PANELISTS

Dave Payne is the assistant manager of Ute Water Conservancy District, one of the largest domestic water providers on Colorado’s Western Slope. He plays a key role in managing municipal water supplies and infrastructure, with a focus on reliability, conservation and long-term planning in a changing hydrologic landscape.

Raquel Flinker is the director of interstate and regional water resources for the Colorado River District. She works on complex interstate negotiations and policy issues affecting the Colorado River, helping to shape strategies that balance legal obligations, water supply challenges and the needs of Western Slope communities.

Matt Rice is the southwest regional director for American Rivers, where he leads efforts to protect and restore rivers across the Colorado River Basin. His team drives innovative policy, program and project solutions to conserve water in the urban, agricultural and energy sectors to ensure that the rivers and streams in the region are healthy for local and regional economies, sustainable agriculture, and world-class recreation.

Tina Bergonzini is the general manager of the Grand Valley Water Users Association, which includes the Cameo Diversion Dam and 55 miles of the Government Highline Canal, where she oversees delivery of irrigation water to over 23,000 acres on Colorado’s Western Slope. With deep experience in agricultural water management and Colorado River policy, she represents the interests of farmers and ranchers navigating increasing water scarcity.

Moderator: Heather Sackett
Heather Sackett is the water desk editor for Aspen Journalism, where she reports on water, rivers, and environmental issues across the Colorado River Basin. Known for her in-depth, explanatory reporting, she brings clarity to complex water policy topics and will guide the panel discussion.

Hosted by Aspen Journalism in Collaboration with the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University

Aspen Journalism is a nonprofit journalism organization based in Aspen, Colorado. Our mission is to produce investigative and in-depth journalism radiating outward from Aspen to include Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties, the Roaring Fork Valley, the Roaring Fork River watershed, the Western Slope, the state of Colorado, and the upper Colorado River basin.

The Upper Colorado River Basin is facing increasing demands on water resources, and there are many unanswered questions about how these demands could affect the region’s environment and communities. The Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center’s mission is to perform and facilitate interdisciplinary and collaborative research, education, outreach, and dialogue to address these important issues.