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Poudre River. Indeed, the locations in which the signs were posted and the content of the signs <br />highlight the fact that, as of December 31, 1986, Fort Collins had not formed the intent to <br />appropriate a water right for the Nature Center Diversion Dam. <br />Furthermore, in order to support the specific intent required for a date of <br />appropriation of February 18, 1986, the signs must have been posted, and the notices published, <br />on or before February 18, 1986, as "it is clear that only when both elements are present that the <br />`first step' is effected." [Emphasis original] Central Colorado Water Conservancy District v. City <br />and County of Denver, 189 Colo. 272, 539 P.2d 1270, 1272 (1975); Elk -Rifle Water Company v. <br />Templeton, supra, 484 P.2d at 1215; Bar 70 Enterprises supra, 703 P.2d at 1307; Vidler, supra, 594 <br />P.2d at 568; Twin Lakes, supra, 557 P.2d at 828. Yet, the signs were posted and the notices <br />published, at the earliest, ten months after the date of appropriation awarded by the trial court. <br />The signs and notices can not possibly establish that Fort Collins had formed the intent to <br />appropriate a water right at the Nature Center Diversion Dam as of February 18, 1986. <br />2. The water court erred in holding that Fort Collins' adoption of the Poudre River <br />Trust Land Use Policy Plan and other acts shown by the evidence constituted overt acts <br />sufficient to demonstrate Fort Collins' intent to appropriate a water right, sufficient to <br />qualify as a substantial step in furtherance of appropriating the water right, and sufficient <br />to put other water users on notice of Fort Collins' intent to divert 55 c.f.s. at the Nature <br />Center Diversion Dam as of February 18, 1986. <br />The overt acts necessary to initiate an appropriation "must be of such character as <br />to perform three functions: (1) to manifest the necessary intent to appropriate water to beneficial <br />use; (2) to demonstrate the taking of a substantial step toward the application of water to <br />beneficial use; and (3) to constitute notice to interested persons of the nature and extent of the <br />proposed demand upon the water supply." Aspen supra, 696 P.2d at 762 -63. The evidence does <br />16 <br />