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Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 <br /> August 14 Ft 15, 2025 <br /> Mr. Ullmann then transitioned to the Supreme Court Case concerning Texas vs. New <br /> Mexico that the State of Colorado is involved in. A hearing in front of the Special <br /> Master is currently scheduled for September 30th and October 1st. Settlement <br /> agreements between New Mexico and the Federal Government outside of the compact <br /> are also being worked on. Mr. Ullmann reminded the Commission that the three states <br /> had already come to an agreement and compact decree, however, the Federal <br /> Government did not consent to the decree. Mr. Ullmann believes that the hearings <br /> will be a good opportunity for the states and Federal Government to present their <br /> views on the new settlement agreement and compact decree, with the hope that the <br /> case is settled soon and signed by the Supreme Court. <br /> Mr. Ullmann then mentioned there is an upcoming hearing on November 13th and 14th <br /> for the Rio Grande Support System Model, which is intended to create response <br /> functions that determine the depletions wells must replace to the stream system in <br /> the basin. Parties will be able to comment and present on why they believe the new <br /> model may or may not be appropriate for calculating depletions. <br /> Mr. Ullmann concluded his remarks with an update on the Colorado River Compact <br /> negotiations. The States are meeting regularly and have discussed managing releases <br /> from Lake Powell based on a percentage of the natural flow rate of the river. Mr. <br /> Ullmann mentioned that some potential sticking points to the negotiations include <br /> what percentage of the natural flow is chosen. A deadline of November 11th for the <br /> states to come to a consensus solution has been set by the Department of Interior. <br /> Commissioner. Pautler then asked Mr. Ullmann what the public response was during <br /> the Julesburg meeting mentioned previously. <br /> Mr. Ullmann responded that the public was overall pleased that the State is keeping <br /> them informed and for their commitment to protecting the water rights in the Lower <br /> South Platte River. Mr. Ullmann estimated that 200 people attended the meeting in <br /> Julesburg. <br /> Commissioner Hume asked if the State of Nebraska has obtained any dedicated right- <br /> of-way for the proposed Perkins County Canal project. <br /> Mr. Ullmann responded that the State of Nebraska has not obtained any right-of-way <br /> for the project, and would not comment on the legality of another state using <br /> eminent domain inside Colorado. <br /> Commissioner Denning asked if Municipal Districts looking to acquire junior water <br /> rights in the Lower South Platte River Basin will be affected by the litigation with <br /> Nebraska. <br /> Mr. Ullmann responded that he could not speak for individual Districts or their water <br /> plans and projects. <br />