The State Constitution of 1876 and Greeley’s Role in Western Water Policy
Join the Greeley Historic Preservation Commission for a free History Hour event this month.
Hear a special talk, “Colorado Water Law at 150: The State Constitution of 1876 and Greeley’s Role in Western Water Policy,” at noon on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at the Greeley History Museum, located at 714 8th St.
The speaker, Dr. Michael Welsh, is a history professor at the University of Northern Colorado. He will share how Western water policy began 150 years ago and how Greeley played an important role in shaping it.
The presentation is free and open to the public. No reservations needed.
About the author
Dr. Welsh co-wrote “Confluence: The Story of Greeley Water” with Colorado State Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs. He was also asked by the City of Greeley’s water and sewer department to update the book to highlight the department’s work in the past five years. Expect the new edition in the summer of 2026.
Professor Welsh has taught at UNC since 1990 on the American West, Colorado, Native history and the role of the environment in shaping our region. His work includes several books about national parks, such as “Big Bend National Park: Mexico, the United States, and a Borderland Ecosystem.”
For more information, contact Betsy Kellums at hpo@greeleygov.com or betsy.kellums@greeleygov.com, or call 970.350.9222.
