Limited to 125 people
Welcome to the first annual Western Matters Rural Summit, presented by The Western Planner, and held in beautiful Durango in the Four Corners region. This summit will provide a vital platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and capacity building. We envision inclusive discussions that honor indigenous perspectives, respect cultural heritage, and empower local decision-makers. Together with attendees, we hope to elevate these vital but often overlooked areas and pave the way for resilient and thriving communities.
Dates: April 23–24, 2026
Hotel: There will not be an official conference hotel. However, there are many lodging options within a short walk or drive of the venue.
Registration Fee: $150, includes summit registration, evening event and lunch
About the Summit
This year’s theme, Shared Waters, Shared Futures: Resilience, Rights, and Rural Realities, strikes at the very heart of Western survival. In a region where water is both a sacred lifeblood and a complex legal frontier, we gather to confront the urgent challenges of sustainability and stewardship. Our goal is to foster inclusive discussions that honor deep-rooted cultural heritage and Indigenous perspectives while empowering local decision-makers to navigate our pressing "rural realities." From managing a diminishing resource to addressing land-use regulations and a contentious legal landscape, we hope to help you turn these challenges into a hopeful path forward.
There will be an evening networking social on Thursday evening. The sessions will take place all day on Friday, April 24.
A full agenda is forthcoming, but prospective topics include:
Local Water Usage and How It Affects Day-to-Day Planning
Water for Tomorrow: Legal Framework of Water Rights, Colorado River Compact & Tribal Water
Water Partnerships in Action
Water Quality: Watershed Planning, Stormwater Management, and Green Infrastructure
Wildfires and Water: Hazard Mitigation Planning
About the Location
The first Western Matters Rural Summit will take place in Durango, Colorado, a small quintessential Western city with its roots as a historic railroad town and its present-day role as a hub for outdoor recreation, cultural tourism, and regional collaboration. The city sits in the shadow of Dibé Ntsaa—one of the sacred mountains of the Diné people—and at the threshold of the Southern Ute Reservation and Cultural Center, recognizing the enduring leadership and knowledge of Tribal nations in shaping the land. Durango exemplifies the balance of economic vitality, social connection, and environmental stewardship that defines resilient rural communities. This summit brings together Tribal, county, and rural leaders to share place-based strategies and bold ideas—fostering partnerships that honor tradition while planning for a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient future across the West.
About the Venue
This year’s summit will be held at the Durango Arts Center, a unique and intimate venue housed within the historic Hocker Motors Building. Originally built in 1927, the structure is one of Durango’s last remaining post-Victorian commercial spaces and served as a car dealership for decades. The building’s future was nearly cut short in 1996 when the city slated it for demolition to make way for a municipal parking lot. However, after years of searching for a permanent home, the Durango Arts Center partnered with the City of Durango to save the landmark. Through a State Historical Fund grant and a successful public capital campaign, they purchased and restored the 14,000-square-foot facility, transforming it into the vibrant community arts hub and gathering space it is today.
About the Organizers
The Western Planner brings together rural community planners and allies from the expanses of the West to advance and share real-world approaches to our unique challenges. Since 1979, we've partnered with state planning organizations to make our annual Western Planner conferences the premier planning events in the West, and we’re expanding that support with our Western Matters Rural Summit. Join us as we work toward connected, informed, and empowered planners building resilient Western rural and Tribal communities.
