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<br />-- <br />I . <br /> <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I ( <br />1'- <br /> <br />Colorado's Water Administration System <br /> <br />~ Prior Appropriation Doctrine - "First in time, <br />first in right". Adopted in 1859 due to conflicts <br />during Colorado's Gold Rush; those that first <br />obtained water rights are entitled to get their water <br />prior to subsequent water rights during periods of <br />water shortage. <br />.~ In Colorado, water is a property right that can be <br />sold separately from the land, but change in use <br />must be approved by Water Court. <br />~ This is the Western alternative to the Riparian <br />Doctrine, which recognizes water rights being <br />attached to lands adjacent to the river or stream. <br />