Laserfiche WebLink
<br />right of owners of adjudicated decrees to continue their use of water based upon the first in time- <br />first in right doctrine, whether it be surface or subsurface water. <br /> <br />Colorado Farm Bureau believes that the doctrine of "first in time, first in right" should apply to <br />all water, and priority dates should date from the first proven beneficial use. <br /> <br />We believe that in most years there is a large amount of water which can be diverted for <br />beneficial use by means of wells without depriving surface appropriators of water they have <br />historically used. These wells should be allowed to use any means at their disposal to furnish <br />water for the satisfaction of senior decrees as an alternative to having their wells shut down. We <br />believe that provisions should be made that any owner of a decreed water right may, with proper <br />legal authority, use any method or facility available to him in order to obtain the amount of his <br />decree. Potential solutions should include allowing different sources of water to be used for <br />augmentation (i.e. Colorado Big Thompson water). <br /> <br />Colorado Farm Bureau policy states that tributary wells in existence as of 1974 be preserved in a <br />first in time, first in right doctrine. This does not mean that we believe that these wells should be <br />allowed to pump out-of-priority or to not be accountable for depletions under call circumstances. <br />These wells should be administered according to their decreed date. <br /> <br />Perhaps the most important point is we need increased storage. The number one priority for <br />Colorado should be the maximum beneficial utilization of Colorado water under the prior <br />appropriations doctrine. Colorado Farm Bureau believes that beneficial use of our water should <br />include increased storage. Increased storage must be part of the solution. <br /> <br />The time is now to find a solution. <br /> <br />Thank you for allowing me to express the position of Colorado Farm Bureau. I encourage you to <br />use our organization as a resource. We look forward to working with the recommendations that <br />you develop. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have, either now, or in the future. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />ajJr <br /> <br />Alan Foutz, President <br />