Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium

“Perspectives on Historical Challenges”

Saturday, March 30, 2024 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Schedule of Events:

  • 8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast Richardson Hall Atrium
  • 8:30-9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions Richardson Hall Auditorium
    • Presidential Welcome: David A. Tandberg, Ph.D.
    • Legislative Report: State Senator Cleave Simpson (District 6) and Executive Director, Rio Grande Water Conservation District (RGWCD)
  • 9:00-9:50 a.m. “Acequias: The Legacy Lives On” Film clips and presentation
    • Aracely Chapa, Center for Regional Studies at the University of New Mexico Richardson Hall Auditorium
  • 9:50-10:20 a.m. Acequia Associations and Colorado Title 7, Art. 42; Richardson Hall Auditorium
  • 10:20-10:30 a.m. Break
  • 10:30-11:15 a.m.  “History and Context: The Rio Grande Compact,”  panel discussion
    • Attorney David Robbins Nathan Coombs, Colorado Water Conservation Board
    • Colorado Senator Simpson
    • Erin Minks, San Luis Valley Regional Director for US Senator Michael Bennet
  • 11:15 a.m.-noon: “Prior and Paramount” Water Rights Richardson Hall Auditorium, Update on Ongoing Lawsuit between Compact States
  • Noon-12:15 p.m. Break and Relocation to the Student Union Building (SUB)
  • 12:15-1:30 p.m. Luncheon and Keynote Address: Historical Water Grab Schemes in the Upper Rio Grande Basin (AWDI etc) and status of the current scheme by Renewable Water Resources
    • Introduction: David A. Tandberg, Ph.D Keynote Speaker: David Robbins, Hill and Robbins SUB Banquet Room