The West Slope Water Summit returns May 19 in Montrose, bringing together regional leaders and water experts for critical conversations on Colorado River policy, water rights, and Western Colorado’s future. Registration is closed, but the public can still watch via livestream.
Water remains one of the defining issues shaping Western Colorado’s future, and this year’s Mid-Year West Slope Water Summit is bringing key regional voices together for a major public conversation on Tuesday, May 19.
While in-person registration is now closed, community members can still tune in via livestream to follow discussions on water policy, infrastructure, regional planning, and the future of Western Slope water resources.
📅 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
🕖 Doors Open: 7:00 a.m.
🕢 Program: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
📍 Montrose County Event Center
💻 Livestream available for public viewing here
A complimentary breakfast will be provided for registered in-person attendees.
As Western Colorado faces growing pressure from drought, interstate water negotiations, agricultural demands, and Colorado River uncertainty, the summit offers an important forum for residents, policymakers, and stakeholders to better understand the region’s water future.
This year’s summit is expected to focus on issues including:
• Western Slope water security
• Colorado River management
• Agricultural and municipal water needs
• Regional collaboration
• Policy priorities ahead of future state and interstate decisions
Attendees and livestream viewers will hear from a range of regional leaders and water experts, including:
• Montrose County Commissioner Sue Hansen
• Colorado River District
• Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA)
• City of Montrose
• Regional panel discussion
The Mid-Year Water Summit comes at a time when Western Slope communities are increasingly focused on protecting local water rights, preserving agricultural viability, and ensuring long-term planning keeps pace with climate and population pressures.
For Montrose County and the broader Western Slope, these conversations are deeply tied to economic resilience, public infrastructure, and quality of life.
For additional information, contact Montrose County at:
📞 (970) 252-4508
📧 pr@montrosecounty.net
Even with in-person registration closed, the West Slope Water Summit remains one of the region’s key public forums for understanding the future of water in Western Colorado.
For anyone concerned about agriculture, growth, conservation, or the Colorado River, this is a conversation worth watching.
