2026 Annual River Basin Tour - S. Platte River Basin

Our 2026 River Basin Tour will be held August 5, 2026, and will feature the S. Platte River Basin. Early-Bird registration pricing available through July 15. WEco members receive an additional discount. 

What you’ll experience on the tour

• Riding on a comfortable, climate-controlled coach bus with fellow tour participants through a beautiful part of Colorado!
• Explore how large industrial and commercial water users are navigating the 2026 drought. 
• Speakers with broad perspectives discussing water issues and how water ties into other sectors.
• On-the-ground examples of novel techniques driving water innovation and sustainability.
• One full day of learning and exploration!

Event Details

The tour will start and end in Golden. Partcipants will be responsible for booking their own hotel room if needed. WEco will provide details for a discounted room block for the hotel where we will start and end the tour. Drop off to alternate locations will not be available.

Schedule Overview

August 4

Arrival for those staying in Golden the night before the tour

August 5

The tour will start at 7:30am with introductions

Henderson mine - learn about modern mining practices, water considerations for large industrial endeavors, and the water administration that Denver and Golden water manages on their property. 

Drive the Clear Creek Corridor and learn about recreation projects and the impact of the drought on river recreation. 

Hear about the Golden Whitewater Park and the floodplain restructuring that Coors Brewery did to achieve increased water sustainability. 

Learn about modern brewing and the implications of the drought on commercial enterprise at Coors Brewery. 

The tour will end at the Private pub in Coors Brewery, and we will return to the hotel at 6:00.