GREELEY, Colo. — The Cache La Poudre River — which flows from the mountains through Fort Collins, Timnath and Windsor to the plains east of Greeley — is at the heart of countless activities: from irrigating crops and lawns to providing drinking water for more than 365,000 people, to hosting numerous recreational activities. And those with connections to the river will gather Feb. 3 for the Poudre River Forum.

After its first three years at the Larimer County Fairgrounds, the Poudre River Forum is moving to Greeley, as a reminder that the river is important to all who benefit from it — from its headwaters to the confluence with the South Platte. This year’s Forum will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Island Grove Events Center (501 N. 14th Ave.). Pre-registration is required for all participants.

Sponsored by the Poudre Runs Through It Study/Action Work Group, the Forum serves as a community-wide gathering of people from ag, municipal, business, recreational and environmental backgrounds, to learn about and discuss issues related to the river. Increasingly participants are open to the idea that it takes collective vision and action to make the Poudre the world’s best example of a healthy, working river.

The event will again be facilitated by the Colorado Water Institute at Colorado State University. Laurie Huckaby with the U.S. Forest Service will present “The Last 1,000 Years in the Poudre, According to the Trees,” to explain the importance of the upper watershed. “Finding the Balance: Managing Water for People and Nature,” is the message of keynote speaker Brian Richter. The day will include other speakers.

For more information about the Forum, click here, or contact event coordinator, Gailmarie Kimmel, at PoudreRiverForum@gmail.com, or (970) 692-1443.

— Colorado Corn

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