All deadlines that occur after January 1, 2012, even if the deadlines are in existing cases, should be calculated under the amended Water Court Rules and/or amended Rules of Civil Procedure, unless there is a Water Court order to the contrary.

The Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969 created seven water divisions based upon the drainage patterns of various rivers in Colorado. Each water division is staffed with a division engineer, appointed by the state engineer; a water judge, appointed by the Supreme Court; a water referee, appointed by the water judge; and a water clerk, assigned by the district court.

Water judges are district judges appointed by the Supreme Court and have jurisdiction in the determination of water rights, the use and administration of water, and all other water matters within the jurisdiction of the water divisions.

All water courts operate under a standard case definition approved by the Supreme Court in 1981. This made possible the establishment of water court filings standards, which have been reported annually by water division since July 1, 1981. Water resume publication requirements are governed by C.R.S. § 37-92-302(3)(a). Justice Greg Hobbs is the Liaison to the Water Judges (by designation of the Chief Justice).

Citizen’s Guide to Colorado Water Law: The Citizen’s Guide to Colorado Water Law (2003), authored by Justice Gregory J. Hobbs Jr., is the first in a series of educational booklets designed to provide Colorado citizens with information on a variety of subjects related to water resources. The publication is produced by the Colorado Foundation for Water Education.