7:00 AM
Registration Open & Breakfast at Fritz Knoebel Events Center at University of Denver
9:00 AM
Tour of Denver Water’s Operation’s Complex (Optional)
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Denver Water’s Operations Complex. Located just west of downtown Denver, the 34-acre campus serves as Denver Water’s headquarters and operational hub, supporting water service across 10 counties. Attendees will get a firsthand look at the facilities and infrastructure that keep one of the nation’s leading water utilities running efficiently every day. The tour is included in the conference but is limited to 20 participants per tour, with two tours scheduled (40 total participants.)
Course registration is required to attend the tour.
12:00 PM
Networking Luncheon at Fritz Knoebel Events Center at University of Denver
1:00 PM
Opening Keynote — State of the Water Industry: Implementing AWWA’s Water2050 Initiatives, Drought Vulnerabilities & More
David LaFrance, Chief Executive Officer, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
1:30 PM
Assessing AWWA’s ‘Beyond the Replacement Era’ Report: What the Findings Mean for Your System
Greg Baird, MPA, Principal Utility Financial Consultant, Black & Veatch
2:00 PM
Rent Due: Implementing a Capacity Rental Charge to Curb Overuse and Protect Future Supply
Jason Mumm, Independent Consultant
Catherine Olukotun, Deputy Director of Financial Administration, Aurora Water
2:30 PM
Break
2:45 PM
Enhancing Affordability and Customer Assistance Program Access at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Ken Duplay, Chief Financial Officer, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Claire Sheridan, Senior Economist, One Water Econ
3:15 PM
From Spreadsheet Chaos to Financial Clarity: How Laguna Beach Transformed Capital Program Management
Heather Rhee, Manager of Engineering, Laguna Beach County Water District (CA)
3:45 PM
Building an Action Plan for Sustainable Funding
Nicolette N. Bateson, CPA, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, Great Lakes Water Authority
4:15-5:15 PM
Panel Discussion: Balancing Customer Affordability & Evolving Regional Water Challenges
Moderated by: Todd Cristiano, Vice President, Raftelis
- Angela Bricmont, Chief Financial Officer, Denver Water
- Ken Duplay, Chief Financial Officer, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
- Mandy Lemig, Budget & Policy Coordinator, City of Westminster, CO
- Pieter Van Ry, Director, South Platte Renew and City of Englewood Utilities
5:15 PM
Evening Reception
Wednesday August 5, 2026
7:00 AM
Registration Open & Breakfast
8:00-9:00
Morning Panel – Data Centers & Municipal Water: Challenge or Huge Opportunity?
- Lauren Barbir, Associate Vice President & Business Development Director, HDR
- David Hyder, Senior Principal, Management & Technology Consulting: Financial Management, Stantec
- Brenton McCloskey, Director of Strategic Development and Communications, The Water Center, University of Pennsylvania
9:00-9:30
A.I. Primer
Tacoma Zach, Co-founder & CEO, MentorAPM
9:30-9:45
Break
9:45-10:15
Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Tucson
Silvia Amparano, CPA, CPFO, Deputy Director, Tucson Water
10:15-10:45
The AMI Project Planning Illusion
Jacob Jasperson, Senior Advisor, Utility Metering Solutions, LLC
10:45-11:15
Update on Federal Water Programs, Status of SRF Reauthorization, Inflation Impacts & More
Kristina Surfus, Managing Director, Government Affairs, National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
11:15-12:15
Panel – Federal Funding Discussion: Federal Programs & Overcoming Local Implementation Hurdles
Moderated by: Cole Sullivan, Consultant, Stantec
- Stephanie Abram, Director – Financial Planning & Performance, Denver Water
- Keith McLaughlin, Executive Director, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
- Ryan Patton, AVP-Analyst, Global Project and Infrastructure Finance, Moody’s Ratings
- Sarah Stone, Deputy Director – Business Solutions and Engineering, City of Englewood, CO
12:15-1:00
Networking Luncheon at Fritz Knoebel Events Center at University of Denver
1:00-1:30
Making Every Drop Count: Connecting Customers to Louisville MSD Assistance Programs
Debra Johnson, Customer Assistance Program Administrator, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District
Yozette Borges, Revenue and Collections Manager, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District
1:30-2:00
How to Increase Revenue Without Raising Rates
Gary Sanders, Utility Billing Consultant
2:00-2:30
Increasing Our Water Resilience: Current Trends and Motivating Factors in Water Reuse
Erik Jorgensen, P.E., Water Resource Project Manager, Parker Water & Sanitation District and Past President, WateReuse Colorado
2:30-3:00
Conference Wrap-Up: Thoughts on Current Potential for Consolidation/Regionalization/Privatization & Open Discussion
Greg Baird, MPA, Principal Utility Financial Consultant, Black & Veatch