Water is one of the most critical and complex policy issues in Colorado, yet most people rarely think about how it actually works. In this episode, Ross Izard sits down with Casey Davenhill of the Colorado Watershed Assembly to break down the systems, history, and policies that govern how water is managed across the state.

From the Dust Bowl to today’s drought concerns, the conversation explores how Colorado built a legal and collaborative framework around water, why watersheds shape decision-making, and how competing interests from agriculture to cities to recreation all intersect in one shared system.Because when it comes to water, everything is connected, and understanding that system is the first step to protecting it.

What we cover:
• What a watershed is and why it matters
• How Colorado’s water system developed over time
• The concept of “first in time, first in right” water law
• Why water policy is so complex and stakeholder-driven
• How organizations collaborate across regions and interests
• The role of the Watershed Assembly and the Healthy Rivers Fund

About the guest:
Casey Davenhill is the Executive Director of the Colorado Watershed Assembly, a statewide nonprofit that supports and connects watershed groups across Colorado. Her work focuses on collaboration, funding, and on-the-ground efforts to improve water quality, conservation, and long-term watershed health.

Resources:
• Colorado Watershed Assembly: https://www.coloradowater.org/
• Colorado Water Conservation Board: https://engagecwcb.org/
• The Colorado River: https://coloradoriver.com/
• South Platte Basin Roundtable: https://cwcb.colorado.gov/about-us/basin-roundtables/south-platte-basin-roundtable

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