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Water Law

Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP has significantly influenced the development of water resources in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West for more than 40 years. Our rich history in the development of water policy in our region is reflected in the fact that two of our former partners have served as the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science with the U.S. Department of the Interior, while another former partner served as the Director of Natural Resources for Colorado, the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Lands and Natural Resources.

Today, DGS has great breadth of experience in all aspects of legal issues and projects that involve water and water rights. We help municipalities, governmental entities, private industry, ditch companies, and individuals develop, adjudicate, finance, protect, and operate under reliable water supplies. We have significant experience in litigation over the initiation, protection, and change of water rights, approval of augmentation plans, and rights to the use of underground water. We also represent clients seeking to buy, sell, mortgage, and exchange water rights and related structures, and opine and have served as expert witnesses in water right title matters.

DGS has particularly strong interdisciplinary experience in addressing environmental and federal public land law issues related to water use and development. These issues and experience include permitting and litigation under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Management Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and similar state and federal laws.

Case Study: Water Planning and Permitting

DGS attorneys have represented the State of Wyoming, the City of Colorado Springs, and the City of Greeley in water planning and permitting matters to assist these entities in the development and delivery of new supplies of water for future use. Our work has included in-depth analysis of the legal constraints and requirements imposed on water resource planning and development under state water laws and various applicable regulatory laws, such as NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and other federal and state laws.

Related Attorneys

Andrea M. Bronson

Partner, Environmental, Water Law, Natural Resources, Environmental Law & Litigation, Wetlands & Water Quality, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs

Radcliffe Dann IV

Partner, Environmental Law & Litigation, Air Quality & Regulatory Compliance, Clean Energy & Sustainability, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Commercial Litigation, Midstream Services, Safety & Health, Water Law, Wetlands & Water Quality, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Environmental

Mave A. Gasaway

Partner, Environmental Law & Litigation, Clean Energy & Sustainability, Natural Resources, Toxic Tort Litigation, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Public Lands, Tribal Lands & Resources, Water Law, Endangered Species, NEPA, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Environmental

Elizabeth (Betsy) H. Temkin

Partner, Environmental Law & Litigation, Brownfields Redevelopment, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Environmental

Gail L. Wurtzler

Partner, Class & Consolidated Actions, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Environmental Law & Litigation, Trial, Mining, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas, Toxic Tort Litigation

William J. Duffy

Senior of Counsel, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Environmental Law & Litigation, Water Law, Brownfields Redevelopment, Class & Consolidated Actions, Natural Resources, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Environmental

Zach C. Miller

Senior of Counsel, Environmental Law & Litigation, Water Law, Natural Resources, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Tribal Lands & Resources, Endangered Species, NEPA, Public Lands, Environmental, Clean Energy & Sustainability

James Witwer

Of Counsel, Water Law, Public Lands, Natural Resources, Wetlands & Water Quality, Environmental

Brian A. Annes

Of Counsel, Federal Oil & Gas Leasing, Water Law, Oil & Gas Acquisition & Divestiture, Title Work, Natural Resources, Corporate Governance

Michael Golz

Associate, Environmental Law & Litigation, CERCLA & State Equivalent Programs, Wetlands & Water Quality, Water Law, Clean Energy & Sustainability, Natural Resources, Mining

Katie Wiktor

Staff Attorney, Water Law

News & Events

Governor's Task Force Implications

Join us for a discussion of the new COGCC rules to implement Governor's Task Force Recommendations 17 and 20. Topics...

DGS Adds Two New Attorneys

DENVER - October 2, 2015 - Jonathan Goldstein has joined the Finance & Acquisitions Department and Mike Kotlarczyk has joined...

Jason M. Lynch Joins DGS

DENVER - September 24, 2015 - Leading Denver business and securities litigation attorney Jason M. Lynch has joined the Trial...

DGS Client Alert Update: New Clean Water Rule Stayed in Colorado and 12 Other States

Rule Now Effective In All Other States, But Legal Challenges Loom Nationwide As discussed in a previous DGS alert, on...

Waters of the U.S.

Please join Davis Graham & Stubbs for a discussion of EPA's and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's recently finalized...

EPA's New Clean Water Rule and Unique Concerns for Western Operators

On May 27, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a pre-publication final...

Hot Topics in Water Law & 404 Permitting

Please join Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP and the Nevada Water Resources Association for a discussion of hot topics in...

DGS Honored by the Colorado Lawyers Committee

Three people from Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP were honored yesterday at the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC) 2015 Awards Luncheon...

The Promise of Indian Water Leasing: An Examination of One Tribe’s Success at Brokering its Surplus Water Rights

After reaching water rights settlements, a number of Native American tribes find themselves with rights to more water than their...

The Bottom Line: Fees, Billing, and Collections - Ethical and Effective Billing and Trust Account Practices

"The Bottom Line: Fees, Billing, and Collections – Ethical and Effective Billing and Trust Account Practices” will be presented by...

Troubled Waters Ahead! New Proposed Rule Defines Areas Regulated by Clean Water Act

On March 25, 2014, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers issued a pre-publication release of the much-anticipated proposed rule...

Rebuilding After the Colorado Floods – Complying With Clean Water Act Β§ 404

The recent devastating floods in Colorado have created significant challenges for a wide variety of companies. In the aftermath, affected...

Hydraulic Fracturing Water Resources and Management

Please join us for the second session of a two-part series on Hydraulic Fracturing Water Resources and Management. Water, as...

Tools for Water Management Planning and Regulatory Compliance in Oil and Gas Well Development

Please join us for the first session of a two-part series on Hydraulic Fracturing Water Resources and Management. Water, as...

EPA Proposes New Quad O Standards for the Oil and Gas Industry - Implications for Colorado Operators

On April 12, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its proposed revisions to the New Source Performance...

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Presentation Materials.

DGS Partner to Speak at RMMLF Special Institute on Oil & Gas Agreements

DENVER – APRIL 9, 2013 – Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP partner Janet Savage will be speaking at the Rocky...

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