Colorado Water Rights Lawyers
Land Use, Natural Resources and Environmental Law
Colorado is unique in many ways. Water is one of them. Even though Colorado is a water exporting state, water in Colorado is a precious commodity; it can often be more valuable than the land it benefits.
At Grant, Grant & Goiran LLP in Longmont, Colorado, our water rights attorneys assist land developers, communities, ditch companies, farmers and other agricultural users of water in the acquisition, allocation and administration of water rights.
Serving Northern Colorado for Over 50 Years
E-mail Us or Call 303-776-3100
Some of the water rights matters our attorneys handle include:
- Assisting with the acquisition and allocation of water and ditch rights
- Changes, exchanges and augmentation plans
- Non-potable irrigation in relation to development projects
- Working with developers who need to find, acquire or transfer water rights to water service providers
- Identifying water conservation techniques that can demonstrate a reduced need for water, leading to cost savings for developers
- Working with the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Central Weld County Water District, Little Thompson Water District, Longs Peak Water District and others in relation to water matters
- Handling multiple transfers under the Colorado Big-Thompson (CBT) system
Water Law Under the Appropriation System
Although Colorado is less arid than many of its western neighbors, water rights in the state are governed under the appropriation system that prevails throughout the West. Generally speaking, under the appropriation system, water rights are allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. Water rights are often independent of land ownership, and water is considered a private property right that can be bought, sold or leased to others.
Water in Colorado is routed through ditch systems — both privately owned and incorporated — and only people who have rights or own shares in these ditches are entitled to take water from them. Historically, these ditch systems have followed the natural contours of the land. Among the problems that can arise when agricultural land is subdivided for development, the allocation of water rights can be one of the more difficult — especially when new lot lines and road construction interfere with historical irrigation patterns.
If you have questions or concerns about water rights, environmental law, land use and natural resources in Colorado, please contact Grant, Grant & Goiran LLP in Longmont. Our law firm is ready to go to work for you.
