City of Aspen v. Colorado River Water Conservation District

LOHR, Justice.

The City of Aspen and the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County (“Aspen” and “Pitkin County,” or “Applicants”) appeal from a judgment of the water judge for Water Division 5 dismissing their application for a decree of a conditional water storage right. We reverse the judgment and remand for further proceedings.

I

We summarize the facts as stipulated by the parties, found by the water judge, or otherwise established by the record.

Aspen and Pitkin County filed a joint application on December 31, 1980, for a conditional decree of a right to store 102,-400 acre feet of water…