Here’s the release from the Blue River Watershed Group (Reyna Schedler):
As drought conditions continue to shape water management decisions across Colorado, Blue River Watershed Group is hosting a free public forum to help community members better understand how current operations and water management strategies are affecting the Blue River Watershed and the local community.
The Summit County Drought Response Event will bring together representatives from state and federal agencies, local water providers, water utilities, and local governments to discuss current drought conditions, reservoir operations, water supply management, and the challenges facing communities throughout the region.
The event will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library in Silverthorne. Attendees will hear directly from water experts working across Summit County’s water systems and will have opportunities to ask questions throughout the evening.
The program will begin with an overview of current drought conditions and watershed impacts, followed by presentations from agency and water provider representatives. The evening will conclude with an open community question-and-answer session featuring participating speakers and local water providers.
Event Focus
- Presentations will address:
- Current drought conditions and outlook for the Blue River Watershed
- Status of water operations and reservoir management
- Impacts on local rivers, water supplies, and watershed health
- Regional coordination among water providers and agencies
- Opportunities for community engagement and education
Featured Speakers
- Troy Wineland – Event moderator, introductions, and current drought overview
- Christina Pearson, Colorado Division of Water Resources
- Nathan Elder, Denver Water
- Kyle Whitaker, Northern Water
- Marc Baldo, Bureau of Reclamation
- Nick Harris or Maria Pastore, Colorado Springs Utilities
- Will Stambaugh, City of Golden
Local water providers will also participate in the community Q&A session.
Event Details
- What: Summit County Drought Response Event
- When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Where: North Branch Library, Silverthorne, Colorado
- Who Should Attend: Community members, water users, elected officials, business owners, educators, recreation stakeholders, and anyone interested in learning more about drought conditions and water management in the Blue River Watershed
About the Blue River Watershed Group
The Blue River Watershed Group is a community-led nonprofit working to promote, protect, and restore a healthy Blue River watershed through cooperative community education, stewardship, and resource management. We focus on the entire watershed, which drains an area of about 680 square miles covering all of Summit County and portions of Grand and Lake Counties.