Water Rights

Acquisition

To ensure that there will be an adequate supply of raw, untreated water available for future growth, the Utilities Division purchases water rights at market value, as they become available, from private individuals who own shares in local ditch companies. When the water represented by these shares is not immediately required by the Utility to serve Boulder customers, the water is leased to the farming community for irrigation of farm land or is used to maintain a minimum stream flow in Boulder Creek

Ditch Operations

The Utilities Division maintains a water portfolio that includes shares in numerous local irrigation ditch companies. As a shareholder, the city becomes a part owner of the ditch company. City employees sit on ditch company boards and are involved in the day-to-day operation of the companies and the ditch systems. City staff maintains close contact with the farming community through the ditch companies. The city can assist in ensuring adequate irrigation water supplies to select farming interests through its water leasing program.

Litigation

When a water right is acquired, the purchaser often wishes to legally transfer the water represented by the right to some other point or type of use. Using city and contract legal services, the Utilities Division monitors all local water rights legal cases to ensure that the proposed changes have no detrimental impact to the city's water utility operations or to local ditch company interests. Legal issues arising from city transfers are also litigated, with emphasis given to ensure that ditch company operations are not impacted by the transfers.

For more information about water rights, contact the Water Resources Specialist at 303-441-3266.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 October 2012 07:02