State of the Yampa Address
Thurs., May 29, 2025
Our kickoff to the Yampa River Festival
The State of the Yampa Address is an opportunity to come together and learn something about rivers like the Yampa, the lifeblood of our local environment and economy.2025 State of the Yampa Address
May 29, Library Hall, Bud Werner Memorial Library
When: Doors 5:30pm | Presentations 6-8pm
How/Where: Library Hall, Bud Werner Memorial Library
Help us kick off Yampa River Festival! Space is limited: register for your FREE tickets now.
2025 Schedule
State of the Yampa Update
Friends of the Yampa Update
Screening of “A Guide to Fighting For Wild Rivers” a film by OARS in partnership with Friends of the Yampa and American Rivers with intro from Clavey Wendt, vice president of OARS
Yampa River Awareness Project alum panel with a Q&A to follow.
Donations will be accepted but the event is free for anyone interested.
Speaker Bios
Dan Gibbs
Executive director, State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources, since January 2019
2023 YRAP alum
Dan Gibbs leads the development and execution of the Department’s initiatives for the balanced management of the state’s natural resources. Dan works on an array of issues pertaining to all of Colorado’s natural resources, including water, wildlife, state lands, oil and gas and mining.
Leanr more: https://dnr.colorado.gov/contacts/dan-gibbs
Julie McCluskie
Colorado State Representative, Speaker of the House, District 13: Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, Summit Counties
2024 YRAP alum
Julie McCluskie is the first woman Speaker of the House Representative from the western slope. In 2023, the Speaker established the Colorado River Drought Task Force, which led to legislation passed in 2024 to address the worsening drought conditions on the Colorado River. Additionally, McCluskie created a permitting program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for dredge and fill activities impacting state waters following last year’s Supreme Court ruling – restoring protections & ensuring clean water for generations.
Learn more: https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/julie-mccluskie
Luke Runyon
Journalist
2019 YRAP alum
Luke Runyon is a co-director of The Water Desk, a University of Colorado initiative, and KUNC/NPR reporter for the Colorado River Reporting Project and has built his life around Western water-related issues.
Learn more: https://www.lukerunyon.com/about
Clavey Wendt
Vice president of OARS
2016 and 2024 YRAP alum
Learn more: https://www.oars.com/our-story/
Thank you to our event sponsors
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