Twelve water professionals from across the West have been chosen to participate in the Water Education Foundation’s 2026 Colorado River Water Leaders program.

Like our California Water Leaders program, the Colorado River Water Leaders cohort includes early- to mid-career engineers, lawyers, resource specialists, scientists, farmers, environmentalists and others working for public, private and nongovernmental organizations from across the river’s basin. The 2026 cohort roster can be found here.

The Water Leader programs, led by Foundation Executive Director Jenn Bowles, deepen knowledge of water issues, enhance individual leadership skills and prepare participants to take an active, cooperative approach to decision-making about water resource issues. Leading experts and top policymakers serve as mentors to cohort members.

The 2026 Colorado River Water Leaders program launched last week in Las Vegas with an orientation followed by our three-day Lower Colorado River Tour, where cohort members learned firsthand about challenges plaguing the iconic Southwestern river.

As part of their program, the cohort will evaluate Assigned Water initiatives throughout the basin.

One of the most innovative tools for conserving Colorado River water and helping to stabilize Lake Mead, Assigned Water originated as Intentionally Created Surplus in the 2007 Interim Guidelines. The mechanism allows users to store conserved water for their own future use, while keeping the reservoir from reaching dangerously low levels. 

Assigned Water has since expanded and may soon extend into the Upper Basin. The cohort will assess the effectiveness of these efforts and identify lessons learned that can inform long‑term management of the river.

In September, members of the cohort will present their ideas at the Foundation’s biennial Colorado River Symposium in Santa Fe.

Follow along with both Water Leader cohorts this year by signing up to receive Foundation announcements and following us on Instagram and LinkedIn!