GRAD 592 Interdisciplinary Water
Resources Seminar
An interdisciplinary water seminar connecting real-world water issues, professionals, and students.
Every fall, the Colorado Water Center offers GRAD 592 – Interdisciplinary Water Resources Seminar. The seminar features a different water-related theme each year with guest lectures by prominent Colorado water professionals and experts. Students who have previously enrolled in GRAD592 can enroll in the current offering.
Course content
Fall 2026 GRAD 592: The Colorado River –
Defining An Uncertain Future
The Colorado River — described as the lifeblood of the American West and “America’s hardest working river” — is at a crossroads. The Colorado Water Center’s Fall 2026 GRAD 592 seminar will take a deep dive into one of the world’s most managed, contested, and fascinating river systems. From century-old water law and tribal sovereignty to climate-driven shortages and high-stakes interstate negotiations, we explore diverse dimensions of the basin’s past, present, and precarious future. Join us to engage in the West’s most urgent water challenge.
All interested faculty, students, and off-campus guests are welcome to attend.
Course details:
- CRN: 69155
- Credit Hours: 1
- Schedule: Mondays 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Location: Natural Resources Building, Room 109
Course instructor
Karen Schlatter
Director
Colorado Water Center
Karen.Schlatter@colostate.edu
2025 course schedule
(2026 coming soon)
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | Introduction | Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center |
| Sept 1 | No class | – |
| Sept 8 | Colorado Water Overview & Context | Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center |
| Sept 15 | Water Law & Conflict Overview | Andy Jones, The Law Office of P. Andrew Jones |
| Sept 22 | Policy Processes & Institutional Roles in Conflict and Collaboration | Tanya Heikkila, University of Colorado Denver |
| Sept 29 | Public Deliberation, Framing and Communication | Martín Carcasson, Colorado State University |
| Oct 6 | Interstate Conflict: Case Studies from the Arkansas and Republican Rivers | David Robbins, Hill & Robbins P.C. |
| Oct 13 | Case Study: The Future of Water and Agriculture in Northern Colorado | Special Event at Fort Collins Lincoln Center |
| Oct 20 | Interstate Conflict: Case Study from Colorado River Negotiations | Amy Ostdiek, Colorado Water Conservation Board |
| Oct 27 | Case Study: Tribal Water Conflict & Collaboration | Tahlia Bear, Western Resources Advocates |
| Nov 3 | Case Study: South Platte River Basin Groundwater Management | Tom Cech, previously Central Colorado Water Conservancy District |
| Nov 10 | Case Study: Northern Integrated Supply Project | Brad Wind, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District |
| Nov 17 | Case Study: San Luis Valley Groundwater Management | Heather Dutton, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District |
| Nov 24 | No class | – |
| Dec 1 | Class Discussion & Presentations | – |
| Dec 8 | Class Discussion & Presentations | – |
Register Today!
Students taking the course for credit need to register on RAMweb.
Need help?
Please contact us with questions or for more information.