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4. On February 11, 2025, the Engineers filed a Notice of Filing Proofs of <br /> Publication, confirming that the Proposed Rules were published in newspapers of <br /> general circulation in the counties of Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La <br /> Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Juan, and San Miguel. <br /> 5. Under section 37-92-501(3)(a), C.R.S., any person desiring to protest the <br /> Proposed Rules could do so in the same manner as provided in section 37-92-304, <br /> C.R.S., for the protest of a ruling of the water referee. <br /> 6. The following parties filed protests to the Proposed Rules: <br /> a. Southwestern Water Conservation District <br /> b. Animas-La Plata Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement <br /> Association <br /> 7. The Proposed Rules are presumed valid until shown otherwise by a <br /> preponderance of the evidence. See Simpson v. Cotton Creek Circles, LLC, 181 P.3d <br /> 252, 261 (Cob . 2008). <br /> 8. The Proposed Rules cannot become effective until all protests are heard and <br /> resolved. See Simpson v. Bijou Irrigation Co., 69 P.3d 50, 71 (Cob . 2003). <br /> 9. All of the protests to the Proposed Rules listed in paragraph 6 of this final <br /> judgment have been resolved by stipulation. Each stipulation has been approved by <br /> this Court, and no protests remain for this Court to resolve. <br /> 10. Under paragraph 17 of the Proposed Rules, the effective date of the Proposed <br /> Rules is June 1, 2025, or the date on which all protests have been resolved, <br /> whichever date is later. <br /> 11. Because all of the protests to the Proposed Rules have been heard and <br /> resolved, and no evidence that the Proposed Rules are invalid has or will be <br /> presented, the Proposed Rules may become effective on June 1, 2025. <br /> Based upon the foregoing, this Court GRANTS the State Engineer's Motion <br /> for Final Judgment Confirming Resolution of all Protests to the Proposed Rules and <br /> ORDERS that the Proposed Rules in the form as finally submitted by the State <br /> Engineer and attached hereto as Attachment A become effective on June 1, 2025. <br /> 2 <br />