May 5, 2025

Reflections on the AWRA-CGWA Symposium: Innovation and Legacy in Colorado Water

On May 2nd, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the Colorado Groundwater Association (CGWA) co-hosted their annual symposium, bringing together Colorado’s water professionals under the theme “A Journey of Water in the West: Legacy and Progress.”

The day began with a historical overview of Colorado’s water development, led by CSU archivist Patty Rettig. She reminded attendees that from the state’s earliest irrigation ditches to the invention of the center pivot and the construction of major dams, Coloradans have been solving water challenges through innovation for more than 150 years.

Following this historical foundation, the symposium delved into a wide range of current topics, offering professionals and students a platform to exchange insights on research, regional trends, and evolving practices in Colorado’s water sector. WestWater’s Cassidy White presented research on market trends and pricing predictors for Colorado-Big Thompson Project water. Other presentations explored broader patterns in water rights transactions across the state. A key takeaway: Colorado’s water market is experiencing increased diversification among buyers, with growing participation from non-agricultural private sector actors who are reshaping market dynamics.

Representatives from utilities such as Aurora Water and Denver Water discussed new technologies to support groundwater development, strategies for long-term supply planning, and the legacy of protection efforts in the South Platte River Basin. Engineering firms offered perspectives on aquifer storage and recovery systems, and one session provided recommendations for revegetating lands dried up by agricultural-to-municipal water transfers.

The symposium closed with a call to collaboration and innovation, encouraging attendees to see each challenge as a new opportunity. As professionals in Colorado’s water sector, we carry forward the legacy of those who came before us—and actively shape the future of water in the West. This year’s symposium was a powerful reminder of the expertise, creativity, and dedication at work across the state.