Colorado SunFest 2026 to Feature Visual Showcase of Arkansas River

Photojournalist Mike Sweeney to present drone footage and photos from yearlong project

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:49pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of the Arkansas River, with the water and surrounding landscape blurred into soft, warm hues of green, brown, and blue, conveying a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.Sweeney's visual showcase will transport attendees to the banks of the Arkansas River, offering an immersive experience through the lens of his camera.Denver Today

Colorado SunFest 2026, a daylong event bringing Coloradans together to discuss the state's future, will feature a visual showcase of the Arkansas River presented by photojournalist Mike Sweeney. Sweeney, who has covered news, sports, and feature stories in Colorado for over 25 years, will share his favorite images from a yearlong project tracing the river from its headwaters to the Kansas border, and will demonstrate how he used drone photography to capture unique perspectives.

Why it matters

The Arkansas River is a crucial water source for communities across southern Colorado, and Sweeney's visual storytelling helps bring this important resource to life for attendees. The panel provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about the river and the people and landscapes that depend on it.

The details

During the 'What is a River?' panel at Colorado SunFest 2026, Sweeney will present a visual journey of the Arkansas River, showcasing photos he captured over the course of a yearlong project. He will also bring his drone to demonstrate how he used aerial photography to provide an extraordinary visual perspective for the stories. The panel is sponsored by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Denver Water.

  • Colorado SunFest 2026 will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026.
  • Sweeney's yearlong project documenting the Arkansas River was completed in 2025.

The players

Mike Sweeney

A photojournalist with over 25 years of experience covering news, sports, and feature stories in Oregon, California, and Colorado. His images have appeared in numerous Colorado publications, as well as national outlets like The Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and GQ magazine.

Michael Booth

The moderator for the 'What is a River?' panel at Colorado SunFest 2026.

Colorado Water Conservation Board

The state agency that is sponsoring the 'What is a River?' panel at Colorado SunFest 2026.

Denver Water

The utility that is sponsoring the 'What is a River?' panel at Colorado SunFest 2026.

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What they’re saying

“His images have provided extraordinary visual perspective for the stories that traced the Arkansas River from the headwaters high above Leadville to the Kansas border.”

— Michael Booth, Moderator

What’s next

Attendees will have the opportunity to see Sweeney's drone in action and learn more about how he captured the visual journey of the Arkansas River.

The takeaway

Sweeney's visual storytelling helps bring the Arkansas River, a crucial water source for communities across southern Colorado, to life for attendees at Colorado SunFest 2026. The panel provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about this important resource and the people and landscapes that depend on it.