Colorado Water Talk Podcast Archive
Launched November 2020, the Colorado Water Talk Podcast is a monthly audio update produced by Colorado Water Conservation Board staff Erik Skeie, and Ben Wade. Below is an archive of the latest episodes.
To submit feedback or ideas, direct message CWCB on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR or submit a webform.
Podcast Episodes
This pilot podcast provides an introduction to CWCB, a discussion about the Future Avoided Cost Explorer tool, an update on Drought 2020, and more.
On Episode 2, we celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Colorado Water Plan. Join Colorado Water Conservation Board's Becky Mitchell and Russ Sands to talk about where we've been and where we're going.
On Episode 3, get the facts about the current Demand Management investigation, and join CWCB's Amy Ostdiek for a run down on the next steps.
Links from episode:
On Episode 4, an overview of how the state is handling watershed-related community-focused recovery efforts following the impactful 2020 wildfire season. Hear from watershed health expert Kevin Houck to learn about the state's role in recovery, as well as current and potential future funding opportunities.
Links from the show:
On Episode 5, Weather Modification (and cloud seeding) Guru Andrew Rickert on what it takes to make it snow more in Colorado.
On Episode 6, CWCB's Agricultural Water Resources Specialist Alex Funk explains how Alternative Transfer Methods provide a solution to meet water supply needs for the future of Colorado agriculture.
Links from the Show:
Alternative Transfer Methods on cwcb.colorado.gov
Alternative Transfer Method 2020 Status Report
Subscribe to the Confluence Newsletter
Follow us on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On this episode, CWCB's National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator Doug Mahan share information and tips on flood preparedness in the aftermath of wildfire.
Links from the Show:
Colorado State Recovery Officer - Doug Mahan Interview
Leave us some Feedback on the Podcast
Subscribe to the Confluence Newsletter
Follow us on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
Part 1: Three Birds and a Fish - Listen Now
Part 2: Everyone Forgets There's a Fish - Listen Now
On this episode, CWCB Chief Operating Officer Anna Mauss shares details on the stimulus funding recently approved by Governor Polis for the Colorado Water Plan, post-wildfire watershed recovery, and more.
Colorado Watershed Restoration Program
Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On Episode 9 of Colorado Water Talk, join CWCB's Kevin Reidy, Cavanaugh's Drew Blackwell, and Water Systems Operation's Isabel Szendrey as they walk through what "water loss" is and introduce details for Phase 2 of the Colorado Water Loss Initiative - a free program for water utilities.
Links:
Email: team@coloradowaterloss.org
On Episode 10 of Colorado Water Talk, we share the joys and the precautions of river recreation. Erik Skeie provides the scoop on the Recreational In-Channel Diversions program, Bill McCormick with the State Engineer's Office teaches us about low head dam safety, and Will Rice with Trout Unlimited talks about fishing the South Platte through Denver.
Links from the show:
Colorado's Water Plan & Recreation
Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
Learn about Colorado's unique Instream Flow Program from CWCB's Kara Scheel and Colorado Water Trust's Andy Schultheiss.
Links from the Show:
Leave us some Feedback on the Podcast
Follow us on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On Episode 12 of Colorado Water Talk, we get to learn from Colorado's State Climatologist, Russ Schumacher, about the climate phenomena known as La Nina.
Links from the Show:
Water Availability Flood Task Force
Commissioner Mitchell Statement on Colorado River Matters
Instream Flow Workshop Registration
Leave us some Feedback on the Podcast
Follow us on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On this episode, Water Education Colorado (WeCO) Executive Director Jayla Poppleton shares updates on the Water '22 campaign.
John Hunyadi from the State Engineer's Office and Matt Stearns from the Colorado Water Conservation Board discuss dam safety measures.
Links from the Show:
On episode 15 of Colorado Water Talk, CWCB Section Chief Amy Ostdiek provides an update on the situation in the Colorado River Basin. Amy and our podcast co-hosts discuss the status of the Demand Management Investigation, why water releases are occurring, what the "new normal" is for drought, and some of Commissioner Becky Mitchell's priorities.
Links from the show:
Colorado River Commissioner's Corner
Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On this episode, CWCB's Russ Sands provides an update on the 2023 Colorado Water Plan update process halfway through the draft's public comment period, and what to expect for the final version.
Links:
Colorado Water Plan grant program
Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On this special podcast episode, our hosts interview two Governor-appointed members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Jackie Brown of the Yampa-White-Green Basin and Robert Sakata of the South Platte Basin.
Links from the Show:
Follow us on Twitter: @CWCB_DNR
On Episode 17 of Colorado Water Talk, CWCB's Chris Sturm talks about the Wildfire Ready Watersheds Program, including what it is, how stakeholders can get involved, and what to expect leading up to the program's release later this year.
Links from the show:
Join us for Part 2 of a Colorado Water Talk Special: Across the Board. Throughout this series, learn about members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board - specifically the nine Governor-appointed members who represent each major river basin across the state. In Part 2, we talk with Celene Hawkins from the San Juan, Miguel, and Dolores Basins.
Links from the show:
Episode 18: Colorado Water Talk is back in the saddle with a dive into 50 years of Instream Flows. Join us as we talk to CWCB Staff Marielle Sidelle and Pete Conovitz about how the history of the program, and plans for the future. For more information on Instream Flows check out Episode 11 of Water Talk.
Links from the show:
Episode 19: Colorado Water Talk sits down with CWCB's Finance Section Chief, Kirk Russell, to talk about the Arkansas Valley Conduit. This Project will bring water to more than 50,000 people in south eastern Colorado once complete.
Links from the show:
SECWCD Arkansas Valley Conduit
John F. Kennedy's Frying Pan - Arkansas Speech, August 17th, 1962 in Pueblo, CO
In Episode 20 CWCB's Kat Weismiller and Jenna Battson join Colorado Water Talk to shed some light on the Turf Replacement Program and Transformative Landscape Change.
Links from the show:
CWCB's new Director Lauren Ris joins the podcast to talk about her path to CWCB and plans for the Agency moving forward.
We are back for the 2024 season! Join Ben, Katie, and Erik for an overview of what CWCB has been up to, and a sneak peak of the episodes to come.
Links from the show:
We are serious, and don't call us Shirley. Join Ben, Katie, and Erik as they talk to Denver Water's Taylor Winchell about measuring snow from airplanes.
Links from the show:
Colorado Airborne Snow Measurement Program (CASM)
Erik Skeie - CWCB CASM specialist
Ben, Katie, and Erik catch up with Steve Reeves about all things Wildfire Ready Watersheds. We explore the reason behind the program, how it's going so far, and why Steve refuses to bring his golden retrievers into the office.
Links from the show:
For the first (and maybe last) time ever Ben, Katie, and Erik are LIVE in this special episode of Colorado Water Talk. The team is joined by Heather Dutton, General Manager of the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Robert Sakata, Agricultural Water Policy Advisor for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and Russ Sands, Section Chief for CWCB's Water Supply and Planning Section to discuss all things Roundtables.
Join Ben, Katie, and Erik in a two episode Water Talk Special as they take a deep dive into the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Programs. Part 1 is a deep dive into the why, where, who, and what of these instrumental programs. Part 2 features Kara Scheel as she gives us a deep dive into the current work being done under the program, and why it's so important to our water users.
Links from the Show:
Colorado River Recovery Program
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program
CWCB's Endangered Species page
San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
Join Ben, Katie, and Erik as they chat with fan favorite Kat Weismiller for an update on the 2023 Update of Colorado's Water Plan. Long story short: CWCB and stakeholders across the state have been busy!!
Links from the show:
Ben, Katie, and Erik invite three of CWCB's finest to help bust some myths about CWCB work. We dive head first into weather modification, 100 year floods, and instream flows.
Links from the show:
Ben, Katie, and Erik sit down with Sean Cronin (Executive Director, St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District), Kat Weismiller (Water Supply and Planning Section Chief, CWCB), and Jeff Rodriguez (Water Planning Stakeholder and Data Liaison, CWCB) to learn about the No and Low Regrets Strategy.
Links from the show: