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. . . . Porzak Browning & Bushong LLP Glenn E. Porzak Michael F. Browning Steven J. Bushong P. Fritz Holleman Kristin Howse Moseley Kevin J. Kinnear Attorneys at Law 929 Pearl Street, Suite 300 . Boulder. CO 80302 303 443,6800 . Fax 303 443,6864 Vail Office: 846 Forest Road Vail. CO 81657 970-477,5419 Tel. 970-477,5429 Fax. Lawrence J. MacDonnell Of Counsel March 16,2005 CWCB Board Members Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman Street, Room 721 Denver, CO 80203 Re: Chaffee County RICO Filing, Case No. 04CW129, Water Division No.2 Dear Members of the Colorado Water Conservation Board: As you probably know, the Board is required to review RICD applications under five specified statutory criteria. C.R.S. S 37-92-1 02(6)(b). The CWeB must then submit its findings offact and recommendations to the water court within 90 days of the closing date for statements of opposition in a particular case. C.R.S. S 37-92-102(6)(c). We are writing on behalfof Chaffee County to request that the Board join us in filing a request with the water court for an extension of that deadline in the Chaffee County RICD, Rule 14 of the CWCB RICD rules directs that the Board can request an extension for "good cause shown." 2 CCR408-3. The good cause in this instance is Chaffee County's desire to continue the negotiations that we have been conducting with those entities that filed statements of opposition, We began talks with likely opposers even before this application was filed. We have had three general meetings to date with most of the major water users on the Arkansas. Another general meeting is scheduled for April, and we have begun one.on-one meetings with some of the 16 opposers. We believe that these negotiations will be productive, and would like to continue without all parties having to worry about the cost and time commitment of a near- term CWCB hearing. We informed CWCB staff of our interest in this course of action in telephone conversations and by letter dated January 21,2005. (Letter attached as Exhibit No. I). We calculate the current date for the Board's findings and recommendation to be May 29, 2005, which is a Sunday, the next Monday is Memorial Day, meaning your report to the water court would be due Tuesday, May 31, 2005. We would like to suggest a 6 month extension, which would make your findings and recommendations due November 30, 2005. Any hearing, if necessary, could be held at your mid-November meeting which is currently scheduled to be held in Denver, Tml957