United States v. Colorado State Engineer

MULLARKEY, Chief Justice.

I. Introduction

The petitioners, various private and public Colorado entities, challenge a stay order entered by the water court that delays quantification of the United States' reserved water right in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park until after federal litigation on related issues is resolved. The stay was requested by several environmental groups ("Environmental Opposers") after they filed an action in federal court contesting the administrative decision making process that led the United States to reduce the amount of water it claims for the park and…