Colorado § 37-90-102 Legislative declaration

Colorado Statutes

§ 37-90-102 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 37-90-102

Title 37Water and

Art.Underground Water

This text of Colorado § 37-90-102 (Legislative declaration) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-90-102 (2026).

Text

(1)It is declared that the traditional policy of the state of Colorado, requiring the water resources of this state to be devoted to beneficial use in reasonable amounts through appropriation, is affirmed with respect to the designated groundwaters of this state, as said waters are defined in section 37-90-103 (6). While the doctrine of prior appropriation is recognized, such doctrine should be modified to permit the full economic development of designated groundwater resources. Prior appropriations of groundwater should be protected and reasonable groundwater pumping levels maintained, but not to include the maintenance of historical water levels. All designated groundwaters in this state are therefore declared to be subject to appropriation in the manner defined in this articl

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(1) It is declared that the traditional
policy of the state of Colorado, requiring the water resources of this state to be
devoted to beneficial use in reasonable amounts through appropriation, is affirmed
with respect to the designated groundwaters of this state, as said waters are
defined in section 37-90-103 (6). While the doctrine of prior appropriation is
recognized, such doctrine should be modified to permit the full economic
development of designated groundwater resources. Prior appropriations of
groundwater should be protected and reasonable groundwater pumping levels
maintained, but not to include the maintenance of historical water levels. All
designated groundwaters in this state are therefore declared to be subject to
appropriation in the manner defined in this article.

(2) The general assembly finds and declares that the allocation of
nontributary groundwater pursuant to statute is based upon the best available
evidence at this time. The general assembly recognizes the unique, finite nature of
nontributary groundwater resources outside of designated groundwater basins and
declares that such nontributary groundwater shall be devoted to beneficial use in
amounts based upon conservation of the resource and protection of vested water
rights. Economic development of this resource shall allow for the reduction of
hydrostatic pressure levels and aquifer water levels consistent with the protection
of appropriative rights in the natural stream system. The doctrine of prior
appropriation shall not apply to nontributary groundwater. To continue the
development of nontributary groundwater resources consonant with conservation
shall be the policy of this state. Such water shall be allocated as provided in this
article upon the basis of ownership of the overlying land. This policy is a reasonable
exercise of the general assembly's plenary power over this resource.

(3) Repealed.

Legislative History

Source: L. 65: R&RE, p. 1246, � 1. C.R.S. 1963: � 148-18-1. L. 85: Entire section amended, p. 1160, � 1, effective July 1. L. 98: (3) added, p. 852, � 1, effective May 26. L. 2001: (3) amended, p.158, � 1, effective March 28. L. 2003: (3) amended, p. 1596, � 2, effective May 2.