In this episode of Following Waters, host Brett Mayer speaks with Hattie Johnson of American Whitewater about her roots as a paddler and conservationist—and then dives deep into one of the most pressing river access issues in the country right now: the legal right to float in Colorado.

Hattie shares how her personal relationship with rivers led her into conservation work, before walking listeners through the history of river access law in Colorado, how we arrived at the current moment, and why long-standing assumptions about paddlers’ rights are being challenged. Together, they unpack the evolving legal landscape, what recent conflicts mean for paddlers across the state, and why this issue extends far beyond Colorado’s borders.

The conversation is both a primer and a call to awareness—helping paddlers understand the legal, historical, and political context of river access, while clarifying how individuals and communities can stay informed, engaged, and involved in protecting the ability to float rivers now and into the future.

Topics include:

1. Hattie’s pathway to rivers as both a paddler and conservationist
2. The history of the right to float in Colorado
3. Why river access is being challenged now
4. What’s changed—and what’s at stake for paddlers
5. How American Whitewater is responding
6. Practical ways paddlers can stay engaged and support access efforts

This is a timely and important conversation for anyone who cares about rivers, access, and the future of paddling in the United States.

Mentioned in this episode:

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