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
2026 course schedule
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 24 | Class Introduction & Logistics (registered students only) | Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center |
| Aug 31 | Overview of CO River Basin | Karen Schlatter, Colorado Water Center |
| Sept 7 | No Class | – |
| Sept 14 | Colorado River Law & Policy | Jennifer Gimbel, Colorado Water Center |
| Sept 21 | Colorado River & Climate Change | Brad Udall, Colorado Water Center |
| Sept 28 | Upper Basin Perspectives | Amy Ostdiek, Colorado Water Conservation Board |
| Oct 5 | Environmental Perspectives | Jennifer Pitt, National Audubon Society; Taylor Hawes, The Nature Conservancy |
| Oct 12 | Tribal Perspectives | Lorelei Cloud, Southern Ute Tribe, Colorado Water Conservation Board – Invited |
| Oct 19 | Lower Basin Perspectives | Brenda Burman, Central Arizona Project |
| Oct 26 | Colorado’s Western Slope | Andy Mueller, Colorado River Water Conservation District |
| Nov 2 | Colorado’s Eastern Slope | Brad Wind, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District |
| Nov 9 | Agricultural Perspectives | Greg Peterson, Colorado Ag Water Alliance; Perry Cabot, Colorado Water Center & Agricultural Experiment Station |
| Nov 16 | Colorado River Journalism | Alex Hager, KJZZ Phoenix; Shannon Mullane, Colorado Sun; Luke Runyon, The Water Desk |
| Nov 23 | No class | – |
| Nov 30 | Discussion (registered students only) | – |
| Dec 7 | Discussion (registered students only) | – |
Register Today!
Students taking the course for credit need to register on RAMweb.
Need help?
Please contact us with questions or for more information.