Click here for news release.

HIGH PLAINS CHAUTAUQUA SYMPOSIUM:
VISIONS OF WELD COUNTY & NORTHERN COLORADO
Monday, August 1, 2011
High Plains Library District Building

During the week of August 1-6, 2011, High Plains Chautauqua (HPC) will present “Visionaries at Home and Abroad,” featuring a lineup of scholars who will bring to life “visionaries” in American and history, literature, and science. 

Since High Plains Chautauqua this year coincides with Weld County’s 150th anniversary, a major commemorative event highlighting local visionaries and visions will be added to HPC’s week of activities. 

8:30 – 9:00 am Registration

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.  Daniel Tyler, author of Cowboy in the Boardroom about W. D. Farr, will speak on this northern Colorado water visionary. 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.  Visionaries of the Past:   

• Phyllis Eaton, representing Benjamin Eaton, Weld County pioneer of Colorado’s reservoirs and irrigation ditches, a territorial legislator, and Colorado Governor

• Dick Farr, representing W.D. Farr, Colorado rancher, cattle feeder and water visionary

• Myra Monfort, representing the Monfort family, visionaries in cattle feeding and the meat packing industry

• Bill Webster, representing Webster Feedlots which, among other things has applyed Temple Grandin’s innovative concepts in livestock handling facilities

• Peggy Ford Waldo, City of Greeley Museums, will moderate.

11:00 – 12:00  Visions of the Future:   

• Dick Bond, President Emeritus of the University of Northern Colorado, and former President of Morgan Community College, who has represented the citizens of Greeley three times in the Colorado State Legislature.
• Doug Lidiak, co-founder of Excelsior Software (now Global Scholar), and
  chair of the Greeley Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Colorado
  Legislative Alliance
• Brad Mueller, Planning Manager for Greeley, responsible for
  overseeing zoning, subdivision, and long-range land use planning for the
  city.
• Ron Edgerton, emeritus professor of history, University of Northern Colorado will moderate.

12:00 – 1:00  Lunch.   During lunch participants will watch a presentation by Greeley Museums staff on the History of Weld County. 
 
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.:  Panel on Water in Northern Colorado’s Future: 

• Brian Werner, PI, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District

• Tom Cech, past Executive Director of Central Colorado Water Conservancy District

• Jim Witwer, who represents municipal, business, and agricultural clients in the areas of water rights, eminent domain, public lands, and environmental law; is the former Chair of the Agricultural and Rural Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association; and serves on the Colorado Supreme Court’s Water Court Committee.
• Jon Monson, Director of Greeley Water Department, will moderate.

2:45 – 4:00:  Panel on Energy in Northern Colorado’s Future: 

• Tony Frank, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, to discuss renewable energy in northern Colorado’s future.           

• Vince Mathews, Colorado State Geologist, to discuss oil and gas resources in northern Colorado and the issue of fracking today.

• Former Governor Bill Ritter, who has launched the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University, will moderate and participate in the discussion.

4:00 – 5:30:  Social Hour 
A time to mix and discuss with all participants, and an exclusive encounter with three exceptional personalities you never thought you’d meet: Charles Darwin, W.E.B. Du Bois, and C.S. Lewis.  Sponsored by Crabtree Brewery and High Plain Library District The event will take place at the High Plains Library District Administration Building, 2650 W. 29th Street in Greeley.

The event is FREE, including lunch and the social hour, but participants (limited to 100) must pre-register by July 29 at the Greeley Convention and Visitors Bureau by calling 970-352-3567.