7:30 - 8:30am: Check In and Continental Breakfast

8:30 Start
Welcome: Stephanie Piko, Mayor, City of Centennial and MHFD Board Chair

A Time for Reflection and Action |  Laura Kroeger, Executive Director
A forward-thinking mindset has served us well in the past and will continue to serve us in the future. Now is a time to rely on our values and explore new possibilities..

New Faces at the District | Amelia Deleon

It Happened Slowly, Then All At Once | Drew Roberts
Explore rainfall trends in the District, and how the assumption of climate stationarity merges with a more adaptive, forward-looking future.

What's in a Line | Christin Shepherd
Hear the story of the regulatory floodplain, and go beyond the binary line to understand how to use it as one of many tools to communicate flood risk.

Deluge Detective, Where's my Flood Risk? | David Anderson 
MHFD is transforming flood hazard data to go beyond binary maps, providing nuanced risk insights for structures, roads, and people. Explore how quantifying risk enables data-driven decisions, project prioritization, and better outcomes through collaboration with stakeholders.

Break: 10-10:30am

The Powers and Pitfalls of Generative AI for Storytelling | Jon Villines
Discover how generative AI tools are being used to craft engaging stories, visualize future scenarios, and bring innovation to life. This session explores the power of AI-driven media to inspire, inform, and enhance strategic thinking in water and flood management.

Can the Past Predict the Future | Bruce Rindahl and Brik Zivkovich
Hydrologic and Hydraulic modeling is an essential tool for agencies to plan. They are also useful to project the impacts of upcoming storms. Discover how integrating forecasted precipitation can enhance decision support during flood events.

Stepping it Up: Integrating Data and Strategy to Advance Water Quality | Candice Owen
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how MHFD is blending data, strategy and innovation to elevate water quality efforts across the district.

Don't Take it for Granite - Evaluating Recent Trends in Rock | Derek Clark
Learn how shifts in rock sourcing and quality are prompting deeper collaboration between engineers, contractors, and inspectors to get rock-solid products.

35 years of Restoration at Highlands Ranch: Jeff Battiste and Forrest Dykstra (Highlands Ranch Metro District)
Highlands Ranch in partnership with MHFD has been stabilizing and restoring streams within their community for over thirty years. After all that time, let's explore what we've learned.

MHFD Friend of the District Award Recipient, Forrest Dykstra - Highlands Ranch Metro District

Lunch: 12-1:30pm

Emerging Cost Trends in Development and Construction | Bao Chongtoua
Take a pulse on the latest trends in development and construction, and hear how our community is leading with innovative solutions, partnerships, and policy wins to shape smarter, more resilient communities.

We're Going to Slow it Down Now: Jim Wulliman (Muller Engineering) and Andrew Earles (Wright Water Engineers)
This presentation looks at a case study that will be published this year by ASCE. Learn how disconnecting impervious areas and preserving stream networks can yield water quality improvements and more livable communities.

How Much Room Does an Urban Stream Need? | Jen Winters and Brian Murphy (Riverworks) 
Get to know Stream Management Corridors —what they are, the science behind them, and how local governments and consultants can use them for effective stream planning.

Improving Long-Term Success with Ecological Insight | Brandon Cary 
The environmental team promotes resilient, low-maintenance vegetation in stream corridors, walking through the project lifecycle and 2024’s standout moments.

Break: 2:30-3pm

Stream Management Academy | Katie Kerstiens
Change is a constant—and learning is key. The Stream Management Academy explores the science and art of the stream. Get inspired to grow with a learning mindset.

A Case Study in Vegetation Management | KristiLee Halpin
From design to post-construction, this session reflects on what worked—and what didn’t—in riparian vegetation strategies, offering practical takeaways for future restoration success.

Lessons from a Book, a Blog and a TED Talk | Dave Skuodas
Dive into the intersection of infrastructure history, storytelling, and imagination. Inspired by real-world projects and provocative ideas, this talk invites us to rethink what’s possible in design.