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Yampa Basin Rendezvous

Science, stewardship, and connection across the Yampa River Basin.

The Yampa Basin Rendezvous (YBR) is an annual gathering that brings together scientists, land managers, policymakers, educators, and community members to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the Yampa River Basin.

Each year, the event offers a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and place-based experiences that ground scientific understanding in the lived realities of Northwest Colorado.

A large group of people stands by a riverbank listening to a speaker, surrounded by green shrubs and trees, with mountains and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

Our Mission

To promote meaningful conversation and knowledge-sharing across disciplines, sectors, and communities in order to support a more resilient Yampa River Basin.

 

Our Goals

  • Bring together diverse stakeholders around shared concerns and solutions
  • Make climate and water science accessible and actionable
  • Foster relationships between science, land, policy, and community
  • Celebrate local knowledge, leadership, and connection to place
A group of people stands in a circle outdoors near parked vehicles, with solar panels and a small building in the background on a sunny day. Trees and hills are visible under a clear blue sky.
A large group of people sit at round tables in a spacious conference room, listening to a speaker at a podium. Presentation slides are projected on a screen at the front of the room.

What to Expect

The Rendezvous is built around an annual theme and rotates locations within the Yampa Basin. Events typically include:

  • Keynote speakers and scientific panels
  • Field visits, site tours, and place-based storytelling
  • Breakout conversations and community dialogue
  • Opportunities to build cross-sector relationships

Who Should Attend

YBR is designed for:

  • Scientists and researchers
  • Water and land managers
  • Policy and planning professionals
  • Ranchers, landowners, and local leaders
  • Students and educators
  • Anyone invested in the future of the Yampa Basin

Whether you bring technical expertise or lived experience, your voice belongs here.

A group of eleven people stands smiling on a wooden deck outdoors, with a river, green trees, and hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Two women stand outdoors in front of easels displaying maps and images, surrounded by tall trees and autumn foliage, giving a presentation in a natural setting under a sunny sky.

Upcoming Event

Next Rendezvous: Date for May 2027 coming soon!

Past Rendezvous Events

Explore recordings and summaries from past gatherings:

  • 2026 Soil, Fire and Water: A Holistic Investigation of Watershed Health for Working Lands
  • 2025 Science in Action: Building Resilience Through Restoration of Natural Processes
  • 2024 Connecting the Drops: Linking Weather, Watersheds, and
  • 2023 Snows, Flows, and Drought: Managing for Western Water Resilience
  • 2022 Enhanced Observations for Water Resilience in the Yampa River Basin
  • 2021 A Dialogue on Drought, Water Availability and Conservation
  • 2020 Measuring and Managing Seasonal Variability
  • 2019 Climate Projections and Building Community Resilience
    Participants examined the Yampa River Basin through the lens of climate change and community resilience. To explore the science behind climate projections with a focus on the Yampa, learning how climate change is expected to impact various stakeholders in the Yampa, and what adaptation and mitigation plans are in place and where challenges remained.
  • 2018 Western Weather, Environment, and Culture
    The first conference in 2018 focused on Western Weather, Environment, and Culture. The goal of this event was to establish connections between local expertise and historical knowledge to identify opportunities for future Yampa River basin-related collaboration and explore where more information and research was needed.
A group of people stand in a grassy field, observing a weather station with antennas and a solar panel, surrounded by tall trees and autumn foliage under a cloudy sky.