State Salazar Center to host 2020 State of the Basin Symposium

ALAMOSA — In times of uncertainty, one thing is certain in the San Luis Valley: Water is and always will be a critical issue. While demands on our scarce water supply grow, there are many community-based efforts working to restore a better water balance and plan for our water future.


To help the community learn about this year’s current water situation (dry!), from emerging threats to opportunities, the second annual “Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium” will provide updates and insights. This year, it will be held virtually, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.


With keynote speaker, Colorado’s top water official, Kevin Rein, and hosted by Secretary Ken Salazar, founder of the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center at Adams State University, the event is free and open to the public.  To register for the free event visit: tinyurl.com/StateofBasin2020. Participants will receive a link to access the meeting before the event.


Local water leaders will present information on key aspects of our current water conditions and challenges. These include: Cleave Simpson, General Manager, Rio Grande Water Conservation District (RGWCD); Craig Cotten, Division Engineer, Colorado Division of Water Resources; Amber Pacheco, RGWCD; Clinton Phillips, Davis Engineering; and Emma Reesor, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project.


The Adams State University Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center and the RGWCD are hosts of this year’s event.


“As part of our Water Education Initiative at Adams State, the Salazar Center is working with the Valley’s many water partners to bring relevant and useful information to ASU’s students and faculty and the local community.” said Salazar Center Director, Rio de la Vista. “With this  year’s water shortage, the time is now to raise our level of knowledge on the critical water issues here.  We aim to engage more people in community-based efforts for a sustainable water future and we need everyone’s help to make that possible!”


For more information about the 2020 Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium, contact the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center at 719-850-2255 or [email protected].