Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West

The West is at a crossroads with scarce resources, but our imagination and capacity to come together and solve problems is unlimited. Join us for the screening of WATERSHED, part of a film series and conversations on energy, water, agriculture, and climate that honor the past, respect the present, and take responsibility for the future. A panel discussion will take place before the film.

BY DONATION... Suggested Donation: $10

WATERSHED tells the story of the threats to the once-mighty Colorado River, and offers solutions for the future of the American West. As the most dammed, diked, and diverted river in the world struggles to support 40 million people and the peace-keeping agreement known as the Colorado River Compact reaches its limits, WATERSHED introduces hope. The film inspired the formation of the Raise the River coalition — a unique partnership of US and Mexican non-governmental organizations working to restore the Colorado River Delta. The film premiered in 2012 and has been featured in over 50 film festivals. As the Colorado River Basin states undergo their greatest challenge, this history is a source of inspiration for how to move forward.

Executive produced and narrated by Robert Redford and directed by award-winning filmmaker Mark Decena, WATERSHED tells the story of the threats to the once-mighty Colorado River, and offers solutions for the future of the American West.

As the most dammed, diked, and diverted river in the world struggles to support 40 million people and the peace-keeping agreement known as the Colorado River Compact reaches its limits, WATERSHED introduces hope.

In WATERSHED, we meet Jeff Ehlert, a fly-fishing guide in Rocky Mountain National Park; Colorado rancher Dan James; delta restoration worker Edith Santiago; Navajo council member Glojean Todacheene; Rifle, Colorado, mayor Keith Lambert; Los Angeles native Jimmy Lizama, and a group of Outward Bound teens rafting down the Colorado River as they all reflect a compelling new water ethic—one that illuminates how letting go of the ways of old can lead to a path of coexisting with enough for all.

WATERSHED inspired the formation of the Raise the River coalition — a unique partnership of US and Mexican non-governmental organizations working to restore the Colorado River Delta. The film premiered in 2012 and has been featured in over 50 film festivals.

WATERSHED is the final in a series of four film events around Delta County:

• FILM 1: Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution | September 2 | 7pm | Paradise Theatre, Paonia | Panel: Energy Economy

• FILM 2: White House Effect | September 11 | 7pm | Paradise Theatre, Paonia | Panel: We All Want a Healthy Environment

• FILM 3: Common Ground | September 23 | 6pm | Bill Heddles Recreation Center, Delta | Panel: The Future of Agriculture

• FILM 4: Watershed: Exploring A New Water Ethic For the New West | October 17 | 7pm | Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, Cedaredge | Panel: Living with Mega drought

Film Topics Include:

• Conservation

• Grassroots Activism

• Indigenous Voices

• Land Protection

• Water Rights

https://raisetheriver.org/