Ambassador Raymond Burghardt: US-CHINA-AND THE REST OF EAST ASIA UNDER TRUMP 2.0

wednesday March 19, 2025, 7 PM

Mount Vernon Canyon Club at 24933 Club House Drive, Golden, CO

Because of the strong interest in Robert Daly’s February 19th presentation on the roles for China, Taiwan and the rest of Asia under President Trump’s new foreign policy, the Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council will offer an unprecedented second consecutive program on this critical region, but from a different perspective.

Ambassador Raymond Burghardt served during the Bush and Obama administrations as Chairman of the Washington Office of the American Institute of Taiwan (AIT) from 2006 to 2016 and Director of AIT Taipei from 1999 to 2001. For many years, Amb. Burghardt was one of the leading Asian experts in the US State Department. He was Ambassador to Vietnam (2001-04), Consul General in Shanghai (1997-99), and Deputy Chief of Mission in Manila (1993-96) and Seoul (1990-93). In the 1980s, he was Special Assistant to President Reagan for Latin American Affairs. He is a consultant to the Institute for Defense Analyses, advises major companies on Asian affairs, and serves on for-profit and nonprofit boards. He is a frequent speaker on US relations with Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. Amb. Burghardt is a graduate of Columbia College and did graduate study at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs.

Amy Ostdiek: Colorado River Crisis: water rights, climate change, and international obligations

wednesday April 16, 2025, 7 PM

Mount Vernon Canyon Club at 24933 Club House Drive, Golden, CO

Amy Ostdiek is the Chief of the Interstate, Federal, and Water Information Section at the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Much of her work focuses on Colorado River matters, including supporting Commissioner Becky Mitchell in her role as Colorado’s principal negotiator on interstate Colorado River matters. She oversees a team focused on managing and protecting Colorado's water interests in interstate compacts and coordinating with federal agencies and other states, particularly regarding the Colorado River issues.  Prior to joining CWCB, Ms. Ostdiek was an Assistant Attorney General with the Colorado River Subunit at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Ms. Ostdiek is originally from rural Western Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Colorado Law School.