Practice Area
Water + Conservation
BHGR’s Water and Conservation Group has a reputation for providing sophisticated, innovative legal services related to water rights, water quality, and land and water conservation.
In the words of the British-American poet, W.H. Auden, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” Water is a precious, rapidly dwindling commodity in the American West. BHGR’s Water and Conservation Group is an industry leader in securing, protecting, and enforcing water rights, helping our clients meet and exceed state and Federal water quality standards, and assisting with land and water conservation efforts throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. We have tried ground-breaking cases in state and Federal courts, establishing important water and conservation law precedents.
Our
services
Water Rights
Our attorneys represent commercial and industrial businesses, energy companies, private landowners, ranchers, farmers, developers, non-profit organizations, and a variety of public entities seeking to acquire, develop, protect, and sell water rights throughout Colorado. We advise clients on water rights due diligence and purchases, water supply evaluation and planning, well permitting, applications for new water rights, changes of water rights, complex plans for augmentation, and leasing-fallowing and other water sharing agreements. We also regularly perform due diligence evaluations of our clients’ water rights in conjunction with real estate transactions.
Water Quality
Our attorneys represent water conservancy districts, states, municipalities, and a variety of water districts and providers on water quality matters under the Federal Clean Water Act and the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. We advise clients on water quality standards, participate in rulemaking proceedings in front of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, resolve discharge and permitting matters with the Colorado Water Quality Control Division, and assist in the implementation of 401 Certifications for large water storage projects on both sides of the Continental Divide.
Land & Water Conservation
Our attorneys advise private landowners, non-profit land trusts, conservation organizations, and local governments in all aspects of conservation easement law, with extensive experience in water rights.
Litigation & Appeals
When necessary to protect and enforce our clients’ rights, we litigate cases in Colorado’s water courts, the Colorado Supreme Court, and all Federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.
Significant Published Cases
BHGR’s attorneys have worked on cases that have resulted in published opinions, establishing state or Federal law, including the following significant published decisions:
Catskill Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Inc. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 8 F. Supp. 3d 500 (S.D.N.Y. 2014); 846 F.3d 492 (2nd Cir. 2017); cert. denied, 138 S.Ct. 1164 (U.S. 2018).
Grand Valley Water Users Ass’n v. Busk-Ivanhoe, Inc., 386 P.3d 452 (Colo. 2016).
Mesa County Land Conservancy, Inc. v. Allen, 318 P.3d 46 (Colo.App.2012), cert. denied (Colo. 2013).
Burlington Ditch Reservoir and Land Co. v. Metro Wastewater Reclamation Dist., 256 P3d 645 (Colo. 2011).
Friends of the Everglades v. South Fla. S. Water Mgmt. Dist., 570 F.3d 1210 (11th Cir. 2009), denied en banc, 605 F.3d 962 (11th Cir. 2010), cert denied 131 S. Ct. 645 (U.S. 2010).
City of Englewood v. Burlington Ditch, Reservoir and Land Co., 235 P.3d 1061 (Colo. 2010).
Meridian Ranch Metro. Dist. v. Colorado Ground Water Comm’n, 240 P.3d 382 (Colo. App. 2009), cert. denied (2009).
High Plains A&M, LLC v. Southeastern Colo. Water Conservancy Dist., 120 P.3d 710 (Colo. 2005).
City of Aurora ex rel. Utility Enterprise v. Colorado State Engineer, 105 P.3d 595 (Colo. 2005).
Simpson v. Bijou Irrigation Co., 69 P.3d 50 (Colo. 2003).
Our Approach
With a rapidly changing climate and ever-changing water and conservation landscape, our attorneys approach each client’s case with an unparalleled understanding of the law and creative approaches to problem-solving, working collaboratively with our clients to address their unique water and conservation goals efficiently and effectively.
Our Water + Conservation Team
Partners + Counsel
Stuart Corbridge Partner
Patrick Haines Partner
Peter Nichols Of Counsel
Geoffrey Williamson Partner
Associates
Katherine Carter Associate
Acequia Assistance Project
Peter Nichols, a long-time leader in BHGR’s Water Law and Conservation Group, is the co-founder of the Acequia Assistance Project at CU Law School, which pairs practicing attorneys with law students to provide pro bono legal services to descendants of Colorado’s first immigrants in Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, and Las Animas counties where communities believe that water is essential to life, so they treat it as a communal resource. Our attorneys are proud volunteers and supervising attorneys supporting the Acequia Assistance Project.
Learn more about the Acequia Assistance Project.
BHGR Toolbox | Water + Conservation
Water Rights and Real Estate Transactions
Water is a precious commodity in the American West and is subject to unique laws and regulations in Colorado. In Colorado, water rights are based on the “prior appropriation” doctrine, which is a “first in time, first in right” system of water ownership and use (as...
Legal Insights | Water + Conservation
2024 Conservation Laws Affecting Construction Projects
The Colorado General Assembly passed two conservation laws in the 2024 Legislative Session which affect construction in Colorado. These laws are intended to: (1) restore protection of wetlands and streams lost because of recent changes in federal law; and (2)...
2024 Changes To Colorado’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Laws
The Colorado Legislature passed several laws in the Spring of 2024 which affect residential landlords and tenants. Here is a recap of the newly passed laws:Changes to Eviction Laws: The Legislature made significant changes to a landlord’s right to evict residential...
Colorado Law Update – Residential Eviction Changes
A recent law passed by the Colorado legislature and signed by Governor Polis affecting residential tenancy and eviction rights went into effect on April 19, 2024. This will have a profound impact on both landlords and tenants. The changes seem intended to protect...