Research Guides: Environmental Studies / Science: Water Policies &amp; Laws

Recommended Databases

Use Start My Research on the library homepage and search for for 'Colorado Water Law' or use these databases specifically focusing on law:

Westlaw This link opens in a new window
WestLaw is a collection of law-related resources. It includes important analytical sources, such as Am Jur 2d and the ALR's, as well as law reviews and journals. Primary Law Sources are also included, such as the United States Code Annotated (USCA or US Code), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the Federal Register, as well as state statutes and regulations, and all federal and state cases. Note: Previously known as WestlawNext. This resource must be access on-campus or while connected to a campus VPN.

Colorado Water Court

Water judges are district judges with jurisdiction in the determination of water rights, the use and administration of water, and all other water matters within the jurisdiction of the seven water divisions. There are also five regular court districts with Designated Ground Water Basins within their area and an appointed water judge. These comprise theColorado Water Court.

There are seven Water Divisions based upon river drainage in Colorado. Each water division is staffed with:

a division engineer, appointed by the State Engineer
a water judge, appointed by the Supreme Court
a water referee, appointed by the water judge; and
a water clerk, assigned by the district court.

Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR)

Colorado Division of Water Resources: Water Rights
Water Rights provides detailed water rights information for water structures such as ditch diversions, reservoirs, and wells. Scanned images of associated water rights decrees can be downloaded for additional information and details.
Colorado's Decision Support Systems: Well Permits
Search for well permit's within Colorado.
Colorado Division of Water Resources: Interstate Compacts
The State of Colorado is directly involved in one international treaty, two U.S. Supreme Court decrees, one interstate agreement, and nine interstate compacts. Compacts allow lengthy discussion of controversies outside of a formal court environment by individuals who are knowledgeable on a given topic.
Colorado Division of Water Resources: Streamflow Data
The publication titled Stream Flow Report includes hydrology data which has been reviewed and corrected for accuracy by DWR’s Hydrologic Branch. Each station report includes a station summary and daily flow values.
Colorado Division of Water Resources: Dam Safety Home
The branch consists of two units; one is the Design Review and Construction Inspection Unit, and the other is the Dam Safety Engineering Unit.
Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors (BOE)
Has general supervision and authority over the construction and abandonment of wells and the installation of pumping equipment with the ability to adopt and revise related rules.
Colorado Division of Water Resources: Data & Tools
Enables users to retrieve Division of Water Resources’ water data contained within HydroBase; including streamflows, lake levels, water rights, diversion records, calls, etc. Additionally, tools like CDWR's Map Viewers provide spatial toolsets to retrieve and analyze information.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Water Resources (USGS)
Water is one of seven science mission areas of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Water's mission is to collect and disseminate reliable, impartial, and timely information that is needed to understand the Nation's water resources.

Water in and for Agriculture

USDA Economic and Research Service: Irrigation & Water Use
Investigates water allocation, conservation, and management issues associated with water scarcity challenges facing irrigated agriculture in a changing water environment.
USGS: Irrigation Water Use
Talks about irrigation in relation to agriculture and provides useful information and statistics.
CDC: Agriculture Water
Talks about water in terms of agriculture use.

Water for Cities

USGS: Public Water Supply
Talks about public water supply: what it is, where it comes from, and how it is measured.

Water Quality

EPA: Ground Water and Drinking Water
Provides useful information about ground and drinking water.
CDC: Water Quality & Testing
Provides information on regulations, water sources, water treatments, and more.
Water Quality Program
Provides answers to some frequently asked questions about Denver water.
CO Department of Public Health & Environment: Drinking Water
Provides information related specifically to Colorado drinking water.