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Institutional and historical background <br />LAWMA was formed in 1973 as a membership association for the primary purpose of providing <br />replacement water to allow its members to operate their irrigation wells under the rules and <br />regulations enacted by the State Engineer for administration of ground water use in the Arkansas <br />River Valley. After the State of Colorado was sued by the State of Kansas in 1985, and the <br />Colorado State Engineer in 1995 adopted stricter rules and regulations governing well pumping <br />in the Valley, LAWMA's importance increased. In light of the rulings of the Special Master and <br />the U.S. Supreme Court in Kansas v. Colorado, LAWMA's purpose evolved to include the <br />development of a program to replace well depletions both to Colorado surface water rights and to <br />usable flow at the Colorado -Kansas stateline in accordance with Colorado law and the Arkansas <br />River Compact. In 1998, LAWMA re- organized as a non - profit corporation and is now operated <br />in a manner similar to a typical Colorado mutual ditch company. LAWMA has purchased direct <br />flow and storage water rights at a cost of $8.75 million to develop a water rights portfolio so that <br />its members may continue to pump their wells. Replacement water is delivered to the Arkansas <br />River to make up or replace the depletions to the stream flow caused by pumping the wells. <br />LAWMA's purchases of direct flow water rights and storage, leases of water rights, and <br />operational agreements have been pooled to allow its members to continue the use of their <br />irrigation wells while developing a marketable asset that can also be used for other purposes. <br />The predominant use of water by LAWMA's members is for agriculture, but members also use <br />the water for commercial, municipal, domestic, and industrial uses. <br />LAWMA is governed by Articles and By -Laws. The seven - person Board of Directors is made <br />of volunteers who serve three -year terms after election by the membership, which meets at least <br />once a year to elect the Board. The current Directors are as follows: <br />Director <br />Address <br />Telephone <br />Term <br />Office <br />Mr. William J. Grasmick <br />P.O. Box 287, <br />(719) 734 -5422 <br />2012— <br />President <br />Granada, CO 81041 <br />2014 <br />Mr. William O. Broyles <br />P.O. Box 7, Lamar, <br />(719) 336 -8701 <br />2010— <br />Director <br />CO 81052 <br />2012 <br />Mr. Donald F. Higbee <br />P.O. Box 1161, <br />(719) 336 -9696 <br />2010— <br />Secretary / <br />Lamar, CO 81052 <br />2012 <br />Treasurer <br />Mr. Donald Seufer <br />35737 County Road <br />(719) 537 -6046 <br />2012— <br />Director <br />JJ, Holly, CO 81047 <br />2014 <br />Mr. Robert Wilger <br />10821 County Road <br />(719) 336 -7612 <br />2011— <br />Vice - President <br />LL, Bristol, CO <br />2013 <br />81028 <br />Mr. Greg Spitzer <br />P.O. Box 246, <br />(719) 829 -4332 <br />2010— <br />Director <br />Wiley, CO 81092 <br />2012 <br />Mr. Ronald Peterson <br />P.O. Box 732, <br />(719) 336 -3479 <br />2011— <br />Director <br />Lamar, CO 81052 <br />2013 <br />LAWMA is a non - profit corporation with tax - exempt status. A copy of LAWMA's current <br />determination letter indicating that status is attached. <br />