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NW Colorado Energy Summit

Colorado Mesa University 

Meyer Ballroom

1455 N 12th St.

Grand Junction, CO

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Thursday – June 18, 2026

 

7:30 - 8:15 Registration and Networking Breakfast

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8:00 - 8:15 Welcome President John Marshall Introductions Ray Beck

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8:15 - 9:10 Bright Future of Geothermal Energy, Moderator Sue Hansen, Commissioner

Matt Stiasny, Geothermal Senior Drilling & Completion Engineer, Teal-Stetson Lee, Rico Project & Wendy Fenner, President & Founder ZGEO Energy

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9:10 -10:00 Energy and the Colorado Economy, Dr. Nathan Perry CMU

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10:00 -10:15 Break and Networking

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10:15 –11:00 Energy sector choices and opportunities plus Data Centers

Guzman Energy-Rob Smith, Senior Director of SE Origination-

 

 

11:00 –11:45 Critical Minerals and Energy Adman Eckman, Colorado Mining Association

 

11:45 –12:45 Lunch and Networking

 

12:45 –1:30 Obstacles to Energy Development, John Swartout Moderator, Greg Walcher and Doug Benevento

 

1:30 –2:15 Power Supply for Coops in Colorado

Moderator-Megan Moore-Kemp Mountain Parks Electric, Chrystal Dean, CEO Grand Valley Power, Brad Zaporski, CEO San Miguel Power, Scott Blecke, CEO Yampa Valley Electric, and Chris Hansen, CEO La Plata Electric

 

2:15 -3:00 Keynote Address- Karen Budd-Falen, Deputy Secretary, Department of Interior

 

3:00 -3:15 Break and More Networking

 

3:15- 4:00 Integrated Energy Systems Moderator-Matt Solomon, Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Idaho National Lab, Pat O’Brien Government Affairs, Holtec International, Jaquelin Cochra, National Lab of the Rockies

 

4:00 –4:30 Wind Energy Dr. Jonathan Naughton, University of Wyoming & Ryan Fitzpatrick, NextEra Energy

 

4:30 – 4:55 Powering the Future: Talent Pipelines for Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce

Moderator, Lisa Jones, PhD, President CNCC, Mindy Gutierrez-Assistant VP, Workforce Development, CMU, Gary Boley, Regional Coordinator, CCCS, Mandie Dovey, Assistant Dean of Instruction, CMC

 

5:00 –7:00 Reception & Social Hour

 

 

Friday June 19, 2026

 

7:30 – 8:15 Hot Breakfast & Social Time

 

8:15-9:00 Energy Development Provides Options & Challenges:

Moderator Wade Haerle-Club 20 Jeff Risley, Renewable Energy Farmers of America, Cathy Boies, Director, Gridworks, Maury Galbraith, Director CETA

 

9:00-10:00 Energy Policies, Moderator-Rose Pugliese, Senator Marc Catlin, House Rep Ty Winters, House Rep Alex Valdez

 

10:00-10:15 Break and Networking

 

10:15-11:00 Current Issues on the Colorado River, Amy Ostdiek, Section Chief, CWCB

 

11:00 -11:45 The Energy Transition that Isn’t-Doug SandridgeDon Da “The State of Climate:

 

11:45 Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks – Announcing 2027 Energy Summit

Lunch is on Your Own – Safe travels home! See you next year!!!

 

All-of-the-Above Energy Solutions

 

JOLT GOALS

 

· Advocate for energy-impacted communities and sound policies.

· Communicate the benefits of an “All-of-the-Above” energy economy.

· Educate the public about energy diversity.

 

Thank you to all of our Sponsors