The Colorado River is the West’s lifeline.
The river sustains our communities, irrigates our farms, drives our economy, and provides irreplaceable habitat for fish and wildlife. Yet water demands outstrip what the river can provide, and conditions are only expected to get worse without swift action.
The Bureau of Reclamation is accepting public comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates strategies for managing the Colorado River.
The path that is chosen will have far reaching impacts on Tribes, businesses, farmers, ranchers, municipalities, recreationists, fish, and wildlife. Comments are due March 2.
In this webinar, Colorado River experts will provide an overview of the management options being considered and share how you can make your voice heard.
Amanda Erath#
Former Program Analyst for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation#
Amanda Erath spent 15 years as a Program Analyst for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. During her time with Reclamation, she served as a Program Coordinator on the Colorado River Post-2026 Team working to develop the new operational guidelines for the Colorado River Basin. She also managed multiple water conservation focused grant programs at Reclamation including, the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, WIIN Act Desalination Construction Program, the Large-Sale Water Recycling Program, and Basin Study Program.
Panelists#
John Berggren, Ph.D. #
Regional Policy Manager | Western Resource Advocates
John is a regional policy manager with WRA, where he develops and advances equitable policies to improve regional and inter-state water governance and management in ways that benefit rivers and the communities, recreation opportunities, and environment they support. Using his deep knowledge of Western river and water issues, he collaborates with conservation community partners, water providers, federal and state agency staff, and other decision makers to further the next generation of water management strategies.
Anne Castle#
Senior Fellow, Getches-Wilkinson Center | University of Colorado Law School
Anne Castle is a senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School, focusing on western water issues, most especially Colorado River policy and Tribal water interests. Castle served as the U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the Upper Colorado River Commission from 2022 to 2025. She is the co-founder of, and advisor to, the nationwide initiative on Universal Access to Clean Water in Tribal Communities, and a founding member of the Water Policy Group. From 2009 to 2014, Castle was the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior where she oversaw water and science policy for the Department and had responsibility for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Celene Hawkins#
Colorado River Program Director | The Nature Conservancy
Celene Hawkins is a conservation professional and attorney with experience in Colorado River and Tribal water and natural resource management. She serves as The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Program Director, where she leads the Conservancy’s work towards a Colorado River system where nature is restored and protected, and rivers have enough water – at the right times and places – for people and nature to thrive. Celene serves on the leadership team of the Water and Tribes Initiative and on The Nature Conservancy’s Global Freshwater Council and previously served two terms on the Colorado Water Conservation Board in her personal capacity (2017-2023). Celene enjoys living near the Animas River in Durango, Colorado with her family.
Cora Tso#
Senior Research Fellow | ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy
Cora Tso is a senior research fellow at Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy. In this role, she works to research, analyze, and develop recommendations related to Arizona Tribal water policy, including analyzing Tribal Nations’ interests, needs and opportunities in regulatory and legislative processes, collaborating with Tribal leadership and representatives, government agencies, and stakeholders in connection with the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative (AWII) and building productive, lasting relationships between the Kyl Center and the Tribal water policy and legal community. Previously, Cora has worked with governmental, private, and non-profit organizations focusing on Indian law, water law, and environmental law and policy matters. Tso is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
