MINUTES OF THE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT SUBDISTRICT OF THE CENTRAL COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
February 18, 2025

The regular monthly meeting of the Groundwater Management Subdistrict of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District was held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the office of the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District located at 3209 W. 28th St. Greeley, Colorado. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by Chairman Ralph Anders and the following Directors were present: Ralph Anders, President; Frank Eckhardt, At Large; Dave Bernhardt; Steve Bruntz; Doug Dill; Calven Goza; Gary Herman; Dan Kammerzell; Everett Kissler; Randy Knutson; John Mark; Alan Mazzotti and Bret Schmidt. Chad Schafer was absent.

Others present were Randy Ray, Executive Director; Billy Mihelich, District Engineer; Evan McCurnin, Water Resources Analyst; Courtney Sandoval, Water Quality Coordinator; and Lynn Kramer, Contracts Manager. Special guests were Brad Grasmick and David Strait of Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan and Ed Armbruster of White Sands Water Engineers, Inc attended by video conference.

ACCEPT INTO THE RECORD THE CONSENT CALENDAR, FINANCIALS, AND ALL MINUTES OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2025 AS PRESENTED.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED

Public Discussion

There was none.

Action Items

Lynn Kramer presented Petitions for Water Allotment Contracts needing board approval.

MOVE TO APPROVE THE REVISIONS TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1242 70 RANCH LLC.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: JOHN MARK
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE REVISIONS TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1253 DENNIS D. KLEIN
MOTION: JOHN MARK
SECOND: ALAN MAZZOTTI
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1102 ROBERT G. TOINTON TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1351 IGLESIA DE DIOS EC.
MOTION: FRANK ECKHARDT
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED

Legal Action Items

There were no Legal Action Items.

Legal/Legislative Reports

Brad Grasmick gave a Water Court update including the FRICO case, Montava Partners case, Parker and Lower South Platte case, FIDCO change case and the Town of Frederick stipulation.

David Strait gave an update on the Rangeview trial.

Brad gave a legislation update including a bill regarding the State Engineer’s abandonment list, water quality issues, a CWCB bill, a severance taxes Task Force and a bill regarding Ditch Board director fees.

District Action

Randy Ray presented the CWCB Loan Feasibility Study prepared by Ed Armbruster. Director Knutson commended Ed for his work done on the study.

Subdistrict Action

Randy presented a memo from staff to the board regarding Contract Transfers. The memo details ideas that came from the discussions had at each of the February committee meetings. Brad made suggestions regarding items in the memos.

MOVE TO SEND THE MEMO REGARDING CONTRACT TRANSFERS DATED 2/7/2025 BACK TO THE COMMITTEES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: DAVE BERNHARDT
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO DIRECT STAFF TO DRAFT A BY-LAW REGARDING USING WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT ALLOCATIONS FOR RESERVOIR EVAPORATION.
MOTION: GARY HERMAN
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED

Lynn Kramer presented Petitions for Permanent Transfers.

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 50 ACRE FEET OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1306 WESTERN EQUIPMENT & TRUCK INC TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1112 MELECIO & MARGARET CHAVEZ.
MOTION: JOHN MARK
SECOND: RANDY KNUTSON
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 10 ACRE FEET OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1306 WESTERN EQUIPMENT & TRUCK INC TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1268 RITCHEY LAND COMPANY LLC.
MOTION: ALAN MAZZOTTI
SECOND: STEVE BRUNTZ
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 5 ACRE FEET OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1306 WESTERN EQUIPMENT & TRUCK INC TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1054 JOEL & ANGELA RITCHEY.
MOTION: BRET SCHMIDT
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 20 ACRE FEET OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1306 WESTERN EQUIPMENT & TRUCK INC TO GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1252 RICHARD & SHAN CRAVEN, RILEY CRAVEN AND RORY CRAVEN.
MOTION: STEVE BRUNTZ
SECOND: BRET SCHMIDT
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 40 ACRE FEET OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1306 WESTERN EQUIPMENT & TRUCK INC TO A NEW GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT WITH LITTLE PLATTE FARM LLC CONTINGENT UPON THE IRRIGATION WELL BEING ADDED TO THE GMS DECREE.
MOTION: ALAN MAZZOTTI
SECOND: JOHN MARK
MOTION CARRIED

MOVE TO APPROVE THE PERMANENT TRANSFER OF 1 ACRE FOOT OF CONSUMPTIVE USE FROM GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT #1252 RICHARD & SHAN CRAVEN, RILEY CRAVEN AND RORY CRAVEN TO A NEW GMS CLASS D IRRIGATION WATER ALLOTMENT CONTRACT WITH HJC FAMILY FARM LLC CONTINGENT UPON THE IRRIGATION WELL BEING ADDED TO THE GMS DECREE AND THE PARCEL INCLUDED INTO THE GMS BOUNDARIES.
MOTION: STEVE BRUNTZ
SECOND: JOHN MARK
MOTION CARRIED

President Anders opened three bids to lease 4 shares of Farmers Independent Ditch. Secretary Ray will correspond with the bidders asking them to resubmit bids in March.

Randy reviewed the Westmoor Lake project and presented an offer from Riverside Land Development and a bid from J-2 Contracting to fill in the reservoir. Discussion followed regarding a counteroffer.

Staff Action

There was no Staff Action.

Presidents Report

President Anders changed the date of the March Board Meeting to March 25, 2025. The Member Meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2025.

Education Report

There was no Education Report.

Water Quality Report

Courtney Sandoval presented an overview of the Water Quality Program.

MOVE TO HAVE THE WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE DEVELOP A FEASABILITY STUDY TO JUSTIFY AN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE.
MOTION: EVERETT KISSLER
SECOND: FRANK ECKHARDT
MOTION CARRIED

Subdistrict Report

Billy Mihelich provided the operational reports and precipitation outlook.

District Report

There was no District Report.

Secretaries Report

Secretary Ray reviewed the board calendar.

New Business

There was no new business.

MOVE TO ADJOURN.
MOTION: DAVE
SECOND: BRET
MOTION CARRIED

The regular meeting was adjourned at 12:38 P.M.