In a recent meeting of the Colorado MLRB held on July 16, 2025, significant discussions centered around the application presented by the Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO). The meeting, conducted via Zoom, featured a series of expert testimonies aimed at addressing various aspects of FRICO's proposal.

The session began with an introduction by the attorney representing FRICO, who outlined the agenda and introduced the first witness, Heather Thompson, a senior project manager at Ecological Resource Consultants. Thompson, who holds a BS in civil engineering from Cornell University and a master's in water resource engineering from the University of Colorado, has been with her firm since 2006. Her expertise in water resource engineering includes surface water hydrology, drought analyses, and water rights investigations, which are crucial for understanding the implications of FRICO's application.

Thompson's testimony is expected to provide valuable insights into the engineering aspects of FRICO's proposal, particularly regarding water supply operations and the environmental impact of their projects. The involvement of experts like Thompson highlights the importance of technical evaluations in the decision-making process for water resource management in Colorado.

As the meeting progressed, additional witnesses from Ecological Resource Consultants were set to provide further expert opinions, reinforcing the technical foundation of FRICO's application. This collaborative approach underscores the significance of expert testimony in navigating the complexities of water rights and resource management in the state.

The discussions from this meeting are particularly relevant given Colorado's ongoing challenges with water scarcity and the need for sustainable management practices. The outcomes of this meeting could have lasting implications for water resource policies and the operational capabilities of irrigation companies in the region.

As the MLRB continues to evaluate FRICO's application, stakeholders and community members will be closely watching for the board's decisions, which will shape the future of water resource management in Colorado.