Film Screening, Expert Panel & Fire Safety Simulator | April 30 • Ute Theater, Rifle

Wildfire is reshaping the West—are we ready? Elemental confronts wildfire risk and resilience through powerful documentary storytelling, followed by an expert panel discussion. Beginning at noon, the community is invited to tour and visit the hands-on, family-friendly fire safety simulator from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control. This experiential learning tool turns awareness into action with practical, take-home information and knowledge for all ages. The Hunger Tech food truck will be on site with delicious food available for purchase.

By donation. Advance RSVP requested.

City of Rifle Parks and Recreation, the Rifle Downtown Development Authority, Generation Wild and the Middle Colorado Watershed Council invite the community to Earth Day on Rifle Creek, a free community celebration and volunteer event on Saturday, April 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Rifle’s Centennial Park.

This annual event brings together families, volunteers, local organizations and outdoor enthusiasts to care for Rifle Creek and learn about ongoing projects that support the health of the watershed. Participants can join a trash cleanup along the creek or help with light stewardship projects, such as mulching or planting shrubs. Parks and Recreation will provide gloves, trash bags and trash grabbers for all volunteers. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to bring groups for a fun and rewarding team service day.

The Rifle Farmer’s Market will be on site with free seedlings and plants. Kid‑friendly games and activities will be provided by other partners.

Snacks and beverages will be available, courtesy of Grand River Health and Swire Coca-Cola. EcoPoint will host the refreshment station at its location at 211 W. 5th St.

A prize drawing for participants will include local gift certificates, donated goods and services, and four premium‑location tickets to the July 17 Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds home game, courtesy of Alpine Bank.

Earth Day on Rifle Creek is made possible by Alpine Bank, EcoPoint, Grand River Health, Coca Cola, Garfield County, Leave No Trace, CSU Extension and Rifle Farmer’s Market.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 18, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Centennial Park, Rifle

• Activities: Creek cleanup, mulching/planting, vendor booths, kids’ activities, prizes

For more information, to volunteer, or to participate as a vendor, please contact Helen Rogers at HRInteriorDesign@msn.com.

Film Screening & Filmmaker Talk | March 28 5:30 p.m. • Vaudeville Theater, Glenwood Springs

Follow the Colorado River from its mountain headwaters to its desert delta in this breathtaking, feature-length documentary. The American Southwest blends stunning cinematography with urgent storytelling about the landscapes—and lifelines—that define our region. Stay after the film for a conversation with filmmaker and conservation biologist Ryan Olinger, offering behind-the-scenes insight and thoughtful community dialogue.

Purchase $20 advance tickets here | $25 at the door

Author Talk & Book Signing | February 26, 6 p.m. • Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs

Join award-winning author and hydrologist Robert Crifasi for an engaging, story-driven evening exploring the people, politics and power of Western water. Enjoy a lively presentation, audience Q&A, and book signing of Western Water A–Z in the iconic Hotel Colorado, with beverages and appetizers served.

Event admission is by donation and books will be available for purchase. Space is limited. Advance RSVP required.

Join the Middle Colorado Watershed Council for our flagship annual fundraising event – the Wild & Scenic Film Festival! Enjoy an evening of inspiring short films celebrating our planet, community and adventure. Come early to grab your seat, order snacks and drinks, and check out door prizes from our local businesses. Proceeds support MCWC’s mission to protect and enhance the Middle Colorado River watershed. Purchase advance tickets here.

New in 2025: Complimentary tickets for middle and high school students and their teachers from Garfield 16 and RE-2 school districts. Learn more at bit.ly/Student_Tix.

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The Wild & Scenic Film Festival returns to the Glenwood Vaudeville Theater on Thursday, October 2. Join the Middle Colorado Watershed Council for an evening of inspiring, independent films that celebrate rivers, wild places and the people who care for them. Doors, drinks, and dinner begin at 6 p.m., with the program starting at 7 p.m. The evening also features a live auction and door prizes. MCWC’s biggest annual fundraiser and a historic sellout—get tickets today!

Join the Colorado River District and the Middle Colorado Watershed Council for the 2024 State of the River at the Ute Theater in Rifle on May 7. Learn about river forecasts, our local water projects and western water issues.

The State of the River meetings welcome anyone with an interest in these critical issues, regardless of their previous background in water-related conversations.

Registration is required for these free events with dinners provided. Reserve your seat here: https://form.jotform.com/240649520191151

Free with donation request. Requires ticket for entry.

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKET

Jackie Corday and Abby Burke share key considerations evaluating and implementing low-tech stream restoration techniques

Jackie Corday, a Colorado-based water and land attorney and natural resources consultant, and Abby Burk, Sr Manager of the Western Rivers Program Audubon Society, provide a deep-dive into key considerations evaluating and implementing low-tech stream restoration techniques. Topics discussed will include the benefits of stream system ecological lift, increased water availability and forage for agricultural producers, 2023 Colorado legislation (SB23-270) to support stream restoration, and reducing risk and increasing project success. Jackie and Abby have been working with High Lonesome Ranch on a post-Pine Gulch Fire restoration project and spoken with project managers involved for other restoration projects around the state.

Event Sponsors: JVAM, Bank of Colorado, ANB Bank, Colorado Basin Roundtable, Columbine Ford

$15

SOLD OUT

Email info@midcowatershed.org with full name, email and phone if you would like to be added to the wait list. Please indicate if you’d like one or two tickets. Use subject line: Wait List

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKET

Zak Podmore, journalist and author, and Jackson Emmer, renowned singer songwriter, headline event about the re-emergence of Glen Canyon.

When Lake Powell began to fill in 1963, Glen Canyon became famous among river runners as "the place no one knew," a canyon paradise that was thought to be drowned forever. Over the last two decades, however, climate change and drought have substantially drained Lake Powell, revealing 100,000 acres of land and hundreds of miles of canyons. The Glen Canyon Rises tour brings together film, discussion, photography, and music to explore the re-emerging landscape of Glen Canyon. Sign up to get a first-hand look at surprising ecological recovery unfolding in the reservoir — and learn why some advocates now support modifying the Glen Canyon Dam to allow for Glen Canyon's re-emergence. Both Zak and Jackson, grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and have spent time exploring western rivers and landscapes.

Event Sponsors: JVAM, Bank of Colorado, ANB Bank, Colorado Basin Roundtable, Columbine Ford

Free with donation request. Requires ticket for entry.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKET

Join David Graf, US Fish and Wildlife, in a discussion about the endangered fish program and the Cameo call on the Colorado River

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program was established in 1988 to allow for continued water development while focusing Recovery Program Partners’ efforts on recovering federally listed endangered fish (Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail, and humpback chub). The program has dedicated fish pools in multiple upper Colorado basin reservoirs in Colorado. Colorado River water is delivered to meet critical habitat needs for listed fish in the 15 Mile Reach (15MR) of the Colorado River, defined roughly as Palisade to the Gunnison River confluence. Working with partners, David Graf, the Instream Flow Coordinator for US Fish and Wildlife program, uses adaptive, flexible ways of delivering flows for listed fish. Sign up for the evening program to hear about the Recovery Program partnership, how the various pools of water released from upstream sources affect river flows through the middle Colorado River on their way to the 15MR, and learn about these rare and endangered native fish.

Event Sponsors: JVAM, Bank of Colorado, ANB Bank, Colorado Basin Roundtable, Wright Water Engineers, Columbine Ford

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is Middle Colorado Watershed Council's flagship annual fundraising event. We are hosting two in-person events, on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Ute Theater in Rifle, and Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Vaudeville Theater in Glenwood Springs.

TICKETS AVAILABLE now!

cLICK HERE for the vaudeville sept 28

cLICK HERE for the ute Sept 23

cLICK HERE to stream film fest

At the Film Festival, we share beautiful independent films that inform and inspire people to take action. Our audience comes together to share their love of the river, to laugh, to cry, and to get excited about how they can join MCWC in its mission to evaluate, protect, and enhance the health of our watershed.