A standing committee to evaluate state water courts has been created by Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey. State water courts are established in seven divisions, with a water judge presiding and a water referee assigned to handle cases. Water courts confirm and establish the priority of water rights, sorting through applications to ensure there is no injury to other water rights. The divisions were established by watershed under the 1969 Water Right Determination and Administration Act. The act was created to notify other water users of applications that could affect their own water right and standardized applications. 

To view the full article, visit the Pueblo Chieftain. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.