Back to insights

March 21, 2025

Insights from the Poudre River Forum: Collaboration and Conservation on the Cache La Poudre

The Poudre River Forum is an annual conference devoted to exploring water issues, sharing conservation practices, and celebrating the history and future of the Cache La Poudre River. Hosted in Northern Colorado, the event brings together industry professionals, community members, and river enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. Attendees learn about the latest developments impacting the river basin—from policy and planning to recreation and ecological restoration. As a participant, We gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing this vital waterway. Below are some of our key takeaways.

  1. A Mosaic of Stakeholders

The Poudre River begins in the Rocky Mountains and flows eastward to its confluence with the South Platte, gathering a broad spectrum of stakeholders along the way. These include:

  • Recreationists who look to the river for fishing, rafting, and other pursuits.
  • Timber and Agricultural interests relying on steady flows for irrigation and resource management.
  • Municipalities that count on clean water supplies.
  • Industrial Users such as breweries that value the Poudre’s unique water quality.

The forum underscored how each group’s needs shape the ongoing conversation about how best to manage and protect this shared resource.

  1. Prioritizing River Health

Amid all the diverse uses, river health emerged as a unifying theme:

  • Quality: Recreation and municipal supply both demand clean water.
  • Sustainability: Long-term flow management ensures that agricultural users can continue to irrigate their fields while leaving enough water in the river for ecological functions.
  • Conservation: Many attendees emphasized the need for policies and practices that maintain healthy riparian habitats, support wildlife, and promote resilient ecosystems.

Maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental stewardship is at the forefront of discussions about the Poudre River’s future.

  1. Continual Dialogue Leads to Collaboration

A highlight of the Poudre River Forum is the open dialogue among its participants. Representatives from various sectors share their perspectives, propose solutions, and seek common ground. These conversations can help:

  • Identify Overlapping Goals: Sometimes different user groups find synergy in their objectives, such as improving water quality or preserving recreational opportunities.
  • Reduce Conflict: With so many demands on the river, tensions naturally arise, but dialogue fosters mutual understanding and cooperative planning.
  • Spark Innovation: By exchanging ideas and best practices, stakeholders can craft innovative approaches to water management that serve the entire basin.

When we keep talking, we stay open to ideas that benefit multiple interests—ensuring the continued vitality of the Cache La Poudre.