2025 Yampa Basin Rendezvous

Science in Action: Building Resiliency through Restoration of Natural Processes

28-29 May 2025, Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs

The Yampa River is one of the wildest remaining major tributaries of the Colorado River and supports a rich ecosystem, local agriculture and ranching, and a robust recreation industry. It also provides crucial water supplies to local stakeholders and all those downstream. However, warming temperatures, rising snowlines, and increased drought occurrence and severity pose serious risks to the water-reliant ecosystems of the Yampa River Basin.

In the face of increasingly extreme weather trends, including drought, flood, and fire weather, how are we, both in the Yampa Basin and beyond, working to build resilience by taking a science-based approach to repairing and restoring natural processes?

This question will be at the forefront of the 2025 Yampa Basin Rendezvous. The 2-day event will provide an overview of exciting new local research on the interactions between snow, climate, and water supply, and will showcase efforts to address these and other related challenges both within the Yampa River Basin and beyond. The Rendezvous will include morning discussion panels with scientists and project leaders, special welcome and keynote addresses, afternoon field learning, and an evening community showcase happy hour event. The overarching goal is to provide a venue that links the latest science with projects that work in concert with natural systems to achieve a more secure and sustainable future.

Building a resilient water future in the Yampa Valley requires deep, meaningful connections with people who live, study, work, and steward rivers in the West. This event is part of ongoing efforts by the YBR partner organizations to develop and strengthen those connections.

Access the 2025 YBR Agenda here.

Organized by: the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), Friends of the Yampa, Colorado Mountain College, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District, River Network, Yampatika, The Nature Conservancy, Steamboat Ski Resort, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council and the Community Agriculture Alliance.