SURFACE RIGHTS

CCWCD’s Board of Directors began purchasing senior water rights shortly after GMS was formed in 1973. This water fills reservoirs, recharges ponds, and directly supplies the South Platte River. Some of the earliest stock certificates date back to 1980. The District and two Subdistricts have assembled a water portfolio that contains rights in thirty-four different ditch and reservoir companies.
Water shares in a ditch are typically executed through a process that involves the transfer of shares in a mutual ditch company. This transfer is done by completing an assignment form or a slip assignment for the stock certificate. The ditch company will then issue a new stock certificate and record the change of ownership in its records. A mutual ditch company is a private, voluntary, non-profit, fee-collecting entity that holds water rights, and members purchase shares in the company. Water is allocated annually by share, and shareholders pay assessments for company upkeep.
Water leases also affect surface water. CCWCD has many leases with municipalities such as Aurora, Thornton, Longmont, and Greeley. These leased supplies have been vital in meeting the river’s demands and will continue to be important to the augmentation plans.