The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership board and staff sincerely thank everyone who made the 2026 Ridgway RiverFest into a wonderful afternoon filled with fun and friends, as well as raising funds and awareness about the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.
Our generous sponsors donated more than $30,000 plus $14,000 in products and services, and festival-goers spent around $10,500 (on silent auction items, beer and margaritas, shirts, and river race registration). These funds will go a long way in supporting our activities of monitoring watershed conditions, planning and implementing beneficial activities for watershed health, and informing the community about watershed conditions and ways to conserve water and be watershed stewards.
A big thanks to the 50-plus volunteers who worked with gusto to keep festival goers entertained, educated, and thirsts quenched. Plus, special appreciation to Cousin Curtiss for fantastic music that drew an enthusiastic crowd, our engaging speakers Jake Kurzweil and Roland McCook, emcee extraordinaire Colin Sullivan, and smooth sound engineering by Daniel B.
Another Year Full of Winners!
With the Uncompahgre River’s flow hovering just below 100 cubic feet per second on June 27, that Saturday was a great day to splash in the water and the Uncompahgre River was full of swimmers, waders and play during the 2026 Ridgway RiverFest. We had a devoted lineup of river racers in kayaks, duckies and paddleboards in the races at noon. Then, at 3:45 p.m., smiles and laughter flourished as a wacky contingent of six Junk of the Unc homemade watercraft-makers competed. The winners of all race categories were awarded with a limited edition 2026 Ridgway RiverFest glass trophy, handcrafted by Ouray Glassworks & Pottery with etching by Fresh Air Custom Creations donated by Canyon Bridge, plus other prizes.
Boat Race Winners
1st Place: Elijah Nacht, hard-shell kayak, winning a Barrel Pump from Down River Equipment
2nd Place: Kyler Hawkoos, hard-shell kayak
3rd Place: Chuck Heywood, inflatable duckie
4th Place: Tricia Savage, SUP
5th Place: Willy Krois, SUP
Junk of the Unc Winners
1st Place: It’s in the Mail by Tricia Savage, winning a Paco Pad from Jack’s Plastic Welding
2nd Place: Willy’s Lily by Willy Krois
3rd Place: Duck Tape by Emily Thompson
4th Place: Jugs by Joel and Luca D.
5th Place: Taylor Novak
6th Place: CM Logan
*Three glass trophies were not picked up by three winners so please email tanya@uncompahgrewatershed.org if you did not pick yours up.
