Palisade Historical Society June History Talk - Colorado River & Drought Challenges AND 111th Birthday of the Roller Dam!

For Immediate Release
Date: May 28, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
JoAnn Rasmussen  
Palisade Historical Society      
970-812-3064 | info@historicpalisade.org

PALISADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM
“An Overview of the Regional Water Center and Understanding the Current State of the Colorado River”

Shannon Wadas, Executive Director of the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University

Thursday, June 11, 2026 - 6pm - at the Palisade Community Gym

PALISADE, CO (May 28, 2026) - The Palisade Historical Society’s June History Talk will be Shannon Wadas, Executive Director of the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University. She will provide information about the Water Center including its rich history and legacy, current programming, and a vision for the future followed by an overview of the current hydrology of the Colorado River and the challenges communities are facing with a shrinking water supply.
 
The Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University is a driving force for providing research, education and dialogue around Western Colorado and Upper Colorado River Basin water issues. Shannon has more than 16 years of experience in natural resources and organizational management in the public and nonprofit sectors as well as community engagement and policy support as a congressional aide.

The history talk will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11th at the Palisade Community Gym (711 Iowa Ave). This program is open to the public to learn more about Palisade's unique history. We will also be celebrating the 111th Birthday of the Grand River Diversion Dam (also known as The Roller Dam) in DeBeque Canyon! It diverts water from the Colorado River into the 55-mile-long Government Highline Canal which now serves five canals with irrigation water for the Grand Valley from Palisade to Mack. We will have a birthday cake from Slice o’ Life! Come early to get a slice and a seat. It is FREE admission, but donations are appreciated.  
 
The Palisade Historical Society’s website: www.historicpalisade.org, Social Media Pages: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalisadeHistoricalSociety/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicpalisadeco will include information about dates and topics of future history talks.

You can also visit the Palisade History Museum at 3740 G Road – near Elberta and Highway 6 on the north frontage road. The area is under construction for the Elberta Roundabout Project, but the Museum is accessible. It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays year round. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.

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JUNE 11  - PALISADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM – Page 2

Those wanting more information about the Palisade Historical Society are encouraged to visit www.historicpalisade.org or call 970-812-3064.

LINK: www.historicpalisade.org

ABOUT THE PALISADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Palisade Historical Society was incorporated in March 2010 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to collect, preserve, and communicate the unique history of Palisade, Colorado, and to foster, encourage, stimulate, and develop public appreciation of this history. Palisade’s first History Museum opened in August 2021, and since then, more than 2,700 visitors have come to learn about Palisade history from the interesting displays. In 2025, more than 750 people attended our History Talk program!

The Historical Society has published booklets with photos and information about the history of coal mining, irrigation, railroads, and fruit and wine in Palisade. The Historic Palisade Coloring Book is used in local elementary schools, and the coal mining and irrigation booklets are used as textbooks at Palisade High School science classes. The booklets and other publications from local authors are available at the Palisade History Museum 3740 G Road – near Elberta and Highway 6 on the north frontage road. The area is under construction for the Elberta Roundabout Project, but the Museum is accessible.

The Historical Society creates/presents historical programs, videos, and displays, and offers guided walking tours of historic downtown Palisade. It also has collected oral histories of long-time Palisade residents in video and written summary formats available on its website.

As stewards of The Palisade Tribune, the newspaper of record from 1903 until it ceased publishing in March 2014, the Historical Society has archived copies and digitized 5,034 issues – from June 1903 to December 2003, with more on the way – which are available online in the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection database for free research by students, teachers, genealogists, historians, and everyone.

If you want to volunteer at the Palisade History Museum, at Palisade Historical Society events, or need more information about the Palisade Historical Society, visit www.historicpalisade.org or call (970) 812-3064.

On Facebook, look for the Palisade Historical Society
On Instagram, look for @HistoricPalisadeCO