CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank welcomed an audience of more than 200 attendees who attended the 6th Annual CSU Spur Water in the West symposium, which took place Nov 8-9. The event was held at CSU Spur’s Hydro building.
Among the early speakers was Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who talked about the significance of the event in the context of the state’s uncertain water supply: “A secure water future needs innovation, collaboration.”
In opening remarks, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed the Department’s efforts related to water and conservation, including its emphasis on “climate-smart” agriculture. Before he was confirmed for his second term as Agriculture Secretary in February 2021, Vilsack served as a strategic advisor for CSU Spur and the Colorado State University System’s food and water initiatives from 2017-2021. He also gave opening remarks at the first Water in the West Symposium, held in 2018.
Joseph Fuller, a professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, was the first of two keynote speakers to explore the theme of “Next Gen Water” at the 2023 symposium. Fuller talked about AI and other emerging technologies that will place an increasing premium in coming years on skills related to leadership, collaboration, and management. Yet, he noted, hiring practices and workforce policies can disadvantage those with caregiving and other outside responsibilities, and women are disproportionately impacted. Policies, he said, are “marginalizing an important part of the workforce…. In some industries, it’s more leak than pipeline.”
Denver Water’s Jose Valero, participating in a panel discussion on education and workforce, described his career path, from starting as a temp worker in a call center to becoming a water operator. “I dedicated myself to those books,” Valero said. “Not a lot of people know what it takes to produce clean, drinkable water….. We go home and feel we had a purpose serving the community.”
James Pritchett, dean of CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, engaged panelists in a discussion on strategies and techniques to support agriculture operations during a time of rapid technological change, uncertain water resources, and ongoing labor challenges. Simon Martinez, at left, general manager of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Farm and Ranch Enterprise, said new technologies increase the importance of having workers with the technical skills to make use of them, and also the people skills to work well in a team: “We try to develop employees who look after each other, like a family.”
A. Alonso Aguirre, dean of CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources, talked with panelists about the future of Colorado’s outdoor industry as the realities of a changing climate rub against increasing interest in activities from skiing and rafting to biking and fishing. Conor Hall, director of Colorado’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry, said the outdoor industry now has an annual economic impact across the state exceeding $11 billion.
Kathryn Redhorse, center, executive director of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, participated in a dialogue on indigenous and tribal water, together with Michael Preston, president of Weenuch-u’ Development Corporation, which manages Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Enterprises and LLCs. Ernest House, senior policy director for the Keystone Policy Center, moderated the discussion.
Attendees at the 6th Annual CSU Spur Water in the West Symposium had the opportunity to engage with speakers, both during the program and in informal sessions, including at a reception that took place on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Jocelyn Hittle, associate vice chancellor for the Spur campus & Special Projects, greeted attendees at the start of the Water in the West Symposium, and also gave remarks concluding a day that included five panel discussions, two keynote speeches, and remarks from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Gov. Jared Polis, and others.
