7776

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7776
• Author: Paddock, W. A. and W. C. Weiss.
• Title: A Primer on Colorado Water Law.
• USFW Year: 1986.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

VI. STATE AGENCIES AND WATER RIGHTS
A. Authority of state engineer
The state engineer has broad administrative authority over water
use in Colorado. He is empowered, inter alia, to administer,
distribute, and regulate the waters of the state in accordance
with the constitution of the state of Colorado and all other ap-
plicable laws.117/ This regulatory authority does not extend to
designated ground water, which is administered by the Ground Wa-
ter Commission.118/ As discussed above, his authority to admin-
ister nontributary ground water is limited to the issuance of
well permits.
B. Duty of State departments to consult with state engineer
Due to the broad regulatory and administrative responsibilities
of the state engineer, the Governor sent the following letter to
all department heads:
Mr. C. J. Kuiper /former state engineer/ .
Colorado state engineer
1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Mr. Kuiper:
The problem of acquiring the water neces-
sary to allow State departments and insti-
tutions to fulfill their statutory func-
tions grows increasingly more difficult. I
am concerned that the various agencies of
State government whose functions cause them
to acquire water rights do so in a way that
is entirely consistent with your responsi-
bilities and the water rights of our citi-
zens.
In order to insure that no State agency,
department or institution acts in a manner
inconsistent with your responsibilities, I
call upon you to provide each such agency,
department and institution with any re-
quired counsel and service in the acquisi-
tion, modification or disposal of water
rights.
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