Episode 20

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Published on:

24th Feb 2026

Greg Felt: Water, Law, and the Other Side of Both Barrels

In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer sits down with Greg Felt for a wide-ranging conversation about rivers, water law, and what it really takes to create durable outcomes for water systems in the American West.

Greg lives in Salida, Colorado, where he has been guiding and outfitting fly-fishing trips on the Arkansas River since 1985. His early connection to water came through recreation, fisheries, and the places he loved to spend time. Over the decades, that connection deepened into a career spent navigating the complex intersection of water law, management, ecology, agriculture, and human relationships.

Greg has served fourteen years as a director of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, three years with the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and was appointed in 2020 by Governor Jared Polis as the Arkansas River Basin representative to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. He currently serves as Chairman of the Chaffee County Board of Commissioners.

In this conversation, Brett and Greg explore why understanding water systems where you live and paddle matters—not just for policymakers, but for anyone who cares about rivers and landscapes.

In this episode, we explore:

  1. How Greg’s path from fishing guide to water manager unfolded over time
  2. Why non-consumptive uses of water—like recreation and environmental flows—cannot succeed in isolation
  3. The importance of relationships, trust, and collaboration in water management
  4. A plain-language look at the Colorado River Compact and the challenges it presents today
  5. The Shoshone in-stream flow water rights success story, and why it matters for fish, agriculture, recreation, and downstream users
  6. What participation actually looks like for citizens, paddlers, and river advocates
  7. Why water systems are inherently complex—and why long-term engagement is essential

This episode is a reminder that rivers don’t just flow through landscapes—they flow through legal systems, governance structures, communities, and competing needs. The outcomes we see on the water are shaped by decisions made far upstream in time, policy, and relationship-building.

Whether you’re a paddler, angler, landowner, or simply someone who wants to better understand how water works where you live, this conversation offers insight, context, and perspective on the long work of following waters.

Mentioned in this episode:

JointheACA

JointheACA

JointheACA

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About the Podcast

Following Waters
Life on and off the water.

About your host

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Brett Mayer

Brett Mayer is a lifelong educator, athlete, and environmental advocate whose career bridges the classroom and the river. With over two decades of teaching experience in public, day, and boarding schools, Brett has built a reputation for integrating adventure and experiential learning into academic settings. A former Division I soccer player and accomplished whitewater kayaker, Brett has competed in elite races like the Green Race and participated in a few exploratory first descents. His passion for paddling led him to complete a master’s thesis on the relationship between whitewater kayaking and environmental stewardship, a reflection of his deep belief in learning through experience. Brett has held teaching and coaching roles at the Landon School, Hotchkiss, Episcopal High School, and currently at Carolina Day School in Asheville, NC, where he most recently developed the "Impact Asheville" project to connect students with real-world problem solving.

Off the river and outside the classroom, Brett serves as the Policy Director for the American Canoe Association, where he works nationally to protect and expand access to the nation’s waterways. He was also an early collaborator with Outdoor Alliance, helping to unite the outdoor recreation community around public lands advocacy. Through this work, Brett brings vital civic, environmental, and recreational insights back into his teaching. Above all, he is a father to three children—Aoife, Stokes, and River—and is deeply committed to raising them with a strong sense of independence, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding students through academic inquiry, paddling whitewater, or advocating for public lands, Brett’s work is united by a single goal: to inspire people to live with purpose, courage, and connection to the places they love.