REQUEST FOR SESSION PROPOSALS
2026 Conference: Session Proposals
Thank you for your interest in submitting a 2026 COSA session proposal for this year's conference in Crested Butte. Without presenters like you, the annual COSA conference would not be possible!
The deadline for submitting 2026 proposals is Friday, May 1st.
Please review the information below to learn more about this year’s conference and RFP selection criteria.
General Requirements
- Sessions are scheduled for Monday (October 5), Tuesday morning (October 6), and Wednesday morning (October 7).
- Sessions will be 60 minutes (new this year!). Session coordinators who want a 120-minute session can apply for two 60-minute sessions, presenting back-to-back.
- Preference will be given to interactive presentations that inspire dialogue, discussion, and constructive debate.
- All Presenters will need to participate in mandatory virtual training in 2026.
Preferred Topics
The theme for the 2026 conference is Caring for the Commons.
We are looking for sessions that cover the following topics:
- Environmental Education
- Innovations of Open Space
- Land Acquisition
- Natural Resource Management/Stewardship
- Open Space Maintenance
- Outdoor Accessibility and Wellness
- Partnership/Grants
- Public Outreach & Communications
- Ranger Roles and Responsibilities
- Visitor and Recreation Management/Human Dimensions
- Other
Session Selection Criteria
The COSA Steering Committee will review and select session proposals using the following set of criteria:
- Ability for audience interaction and engagement
- Relevance of the topic to local open space programs and other conservation organizations.
- Overall balance of program topics.
- Topics that refer to or tie in with the conference theme.
Session Coordinator Requirements
- Each submitted proposal must designate a Session Coordinator, including sessions involving panel discussions.
- COSA will only send information to the Session Coordinator.
- Session presenters are not automatically registered for the conference. All presenters must register for the 2026 conference separately when registration opens.
- Session Coordinators must ensure all session presenters are registered and adhere to all registration deadlines.
- Session Coordinators, presenters, and panel members are expected to coordinate and pay for their travel and lodging.
- Session Coordinators who do not represent a government agency or a non-profit must identify an agency partner and co-presenter (organization and staff person) in their application.
The 2026 proposal deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, MST.
Apply at the link here
Use this PDF version of the application form to view all of the application questions. All final applications must be submitted through the Google form linked above. 2026 COSA Session Proposal Application
Contact
If you have questions or need assistance with submitting a session proposal, please email RFP@coloradoopenspace.org.
The RFP for Sessions is now closed
Thank you for your interest in submitting a 2025 COSA session proposal. Without presenters like you, the annual COSA conference would not be possible!
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline for submitting 2025 proposals is 8:00 a.m. MST on Monday, May 12th.
Please review the information below to learn more about this year’s conference and RFP selection criteria.
General Requirements
- Sessions are scheduled for Monday (October 6), Tuesday morning (October 7), and Wednesday morning (October 8).
- Sessions can either be 45 minutes (new!) or 75 minutes long. Session coordinators who want a 150-minute session can apply for two 75-minute sessions, presenting back-to-back.
- Preference will be given to interactive presentations that inspire dialogue, discussion, and constructive debate.
- All Presenters will need to participate in mandatory virtual training in 2025.
Preferred Topics
The theme for the 2025 conference is Celebrating Stories of Open Space: 25 Years of Conservation and Connections.
We are looking for sessions that cover the following topics:
- Community Engagement
- Environmental Education
- Field Operations & Amenity Maintenance
- Innovations of Open Space
- Land Acquisition
- Natural Resource Management/Stewardship
- Outdoor Accessibility and Wellness
- Partnership/Grants
- Public Outreach & Communications
- Ranger Roles and Responsibilities
- Visitor and Recreation Management/Human Dimensions
- Other
Session Selection Criteria
The COSA Steering Committee will review and select session proposals using the following set of criteria:
- Topics that refer to or tie in with the conference theme.
- Relevance of the topic to local open space programs and other conservation organizations.
- Overall balance of program topics.
- Ability for audience interaction and engagement
Session Coordinator Requirements
- Each submitted proposal must designate a Session Coordinator, including sessions involving panel discussions.
- COSA will only send information to the Session Coordinator.
- Session presenters are not automatically registered for the conference. All presenters must register for the 2025 conference separately when registration opens.
- Session Coordinators must ensure all session presenters are registered and adhere to all registration deadlines.
- Session Coordinators, presenters, and panel members are expected to coordinate and pay for their travel and lodging.
- Session Coordinators must represent a government agency or a non-profit. Private organizations may join sessions as co-presenters.
The 2025 proposal deadline is 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, MST.
The deadline for applications has now passed. Applications are currently under review.
Use this PDF version of the application form to view all of the application questions. All final applications must be submitted through the Google form linked above. 2025 COSA Session Proposal Application
Contact
If you have questions or need assistance with submitting a session proposal, please email RFP@coloradoopenspace.org.