The 2023 Annual Meeting, hosted by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis at the legendary Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colorado, will feature Western Governors and their special guests in public conversations about the most significant issues facing the region.
Join the Western Governors' Association for its 2023 Annual Meeting, hosted by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, in Boulder, Colorado.
The three-day event at the legendary Boulder Theatre will feature Western Governors and their special guests in public conversations about the most significant issues facing the region, including geothermal energy use, water, ecosystem restoration, healthcare, and much more.
View the agenda below and register here to reserve a room. Sign-up for WGA's weekly newsletter to receive the latest information about the 2023 Annual Meeting, including speaker announcements, meeting schedules, and gubernatorial attendance.
1:00 p.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:30 - 2:00 p.m.: Keynote I
2:00 - 2:30 p.m.: Keynote II
2:45 - 3:30 p.m.: Roundtable I: The Heat Beneath Our Feet
Panelists will discuss key takeaways from the WGA Chair initiative of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, The Heat Beneath Our Feet.
3:30 - 4:15 p.m.: Roundtable II: Rural Health Care Access
Many rural and underserved communities across the West lack access to critical healthcare infrastructure and services, making them more susceptible to poor health and mortality. This panel will explore innovative approaches to providing care in these communities and ensuring the health and well-being of all Americans.
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Opening Reception
9:15 - 9:45 a.m.: Keynote III
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.: Roundtable III: Grasslands for Growth and Greenspace
This panel will discuss the importance of protecting and restoring grassland ecosystems, the benefits of maintaining native seed stocks, and opportunities to strengthen grassland conservation in the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.
10:45 - 11:30 a.m.: Roundtable IV: Resilient Outdoor Recreation Economies
Panelists will discuss how communities in the West are harnessing the outdoor recreation industry to bolster and diversify local economies.
11:30 a..m - 12:15 p.m.: Roundtable V: Water Data
Basic water data, such as snowpack or weather forecasting, is an essential tool for water managers throughout the West. Boulder, Colorado, has become a hotspot for programs focused on improving forecasting methods, data collection, and dissemination of information throughout the nation. This panel will bring together experts to discuss the current collection of water data, possible improvements, and the effect their work could have on water management in the West.
12:15 - 1:30 p.m.: All attendee lunch
9:15 - 10:00 a.m.: Roundtable VI: AmeriCorps
Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, and representatives from AmeriCorps programs will discuss the role of service programs in meeting states’ workforce development goals.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.: Keynote IV: The Honorable Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Veterans have increased rates of homelessness, mental and behavioral health issues, and medical needs from combat service. Secretary McDonough will discuss how states and the federal government can work together to more effectively serve and honor America’s veterans.
10:45 - 11:30 a.m.: Roundtable VII: Western Governors’ Leadership Institute
The leadership forum of the Western Governors’ Foundation is being conducted in conjunction with the 2023 WGA Annual Meeting. This panel features a conversation between select delegates and the Governors regarding the future of leadership in the West.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.: Governors’ Policy and Business Session
11:45 a.m. - Noon: Closing Remarks
