The WAS Quota for the 2025 – 2026 Water Season was increased to 70%.

Created in 2004, the Well Augmentation Subdistrict (WAS) has undergone numerous challenges. The story began in 1969 when the Colorado state legislature passed an act requiring al­luvial wells to participate in the priority system. In this system of “first in time, first in right,” newer or “junior” water rights cannot be used if there is a senior “call” or demand on the river.

Since wells typically need to operate during the peak spring and summer months, the legislature also passed a law allowing wells to pump out-of-priority if they had an augmentation plan. A state-approved augmentation plan provides alternative water sources to the South Platte River to offset any depletions caused by pumping.

The Groundwater Appro­priators of the South Platte (GASP) provided a tempo­rary plan for thousands of well owners in northeastern Colorado. In 2004, this group disbanded, leaving these wells unable to pump. The CCWCD Board of Directors decided to aid as many of these people as possible. WAS accepted 440 of these displaced wells in the over-appropriated South Platte River basin. The initial fee to join was $5,000 per well. These fees were used to mitigate the costs of purchasing water rights and storage to cover the depletions of the newly acquired wells.

The state requires all augmentation plans to obtain a decree from their divisional water court. A decree is a legal document signed by a judge, indicating that the plan has sufficient water sources to cover the deple­tions created by pumping. During this lengthy process, the Subdistrict was allowed to operate under a temporary “Substitute Water Supply Plan” approved by the State Engineer.

In 2003, the Colorado Su­preme Court determined that the State Engineer did not have the authority to admin­ister Substitute Water Supply Plans. Objectors to the augmentation plan filed with the courts, claiming damages from the pumped wells to senior water right holders. These two factors, combined with the worst drought in Colorado in over 300 years, meant disaster for members of WAS.

The Subdistrict agreed to dis­continue operation until the augmentation plan went to trial in water court. At that time, each contract holder was reduced to one well per contract.

The WAS decree went to trial in the spring of 2007. The trial continued for two months, during which time it underwent intensive depositions and expert witness testimony.  Judge Roger Klein concluded the fact-gathering phase of the trial in May 2007. After many more months of study and deliberation, Judge Klein issued a ruling in October that WAS was entitled to a decree. After a period of filings by objectors, the judge signed the official decree in May 2008. This decree set the framework for future pumping as water sup­plies were secured.

Water Allotment Contracts

The owner of each member well listed in the augmentation plan enters into a Water Allotment Contract with the Subdistrict. The required criteria include landowner and wellowner information, legal descriptions of the irrigated parcels, the well permit number, and the adjudication decree for the well.  Does the well supplement surface water, and is the parcel sprinkler or flood irrigated?  All this information is used to determine the amount of acre-feet of consumptive use allocated to the contract.  The annual assessment, billed each year in January, is based on the consumptive use number.  Central’s Board of Directors closed membership for both Subdistricts in 2005 when we had to start issuing an annual quota and monitoring pumping. 

Meter Reading

The flow meters are the property of CCWCD. Contract holders are responsible for monitoring and reading the flow meter.  The meter should be read on the first day of each month and reported by the 10th of the month. Timely and accurate readings are vital to our augmentation plan.  If a well owner finds that a flow meter is malfunctioning, they are responsible for reporting it to CCWCD.  Centrals' staff will repair or replace a broken flow meter.

Quota Trading

Members of the Subdistrict may transfer their unpumped allocations to other members of the same Subdistrict. The contract must be in and remain in compliance with the terms of their Water Allotment Contract, the Water Conservancy Act, CCWCD’s Policies, Rules and Regulations, and all applicable terms of their permits and decrees to participate in Quota Trading.

 

Download Quota Trading Form

Permanent Transfers Of Water Allotment Contracts

In March 2012, the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Groundwater Management Subdistrict, and the Well Augmentation Subdistrict Board of Directors adopted a policy regarding the permanent transfer of Water Allotment Contracts.

In most cases, when a parcel that is irrigated by a well is sold, the well(s) and Water Allotment Contract are included in the sale, allowing the new landowner to continue to irrigate the parcel. The board policy enables a Water to Allotment Contract to be sold separately from the land under certain circumstances.

If a Water Allotment Contract holder is selling the parcel covered by the contract or changing the use of the land so that the parcel will no longer be irrigated they should contact CCWCD in advance to discuss options for the contract. If a contract holder is changing the name on the title to the property, such as transferring it to a business name or creating a trust, contact our office to avoid any issues with the contract. Every transfer or revision to a Water Allotment Contract is subject to approval by the board.

2025 Assessment Rates

2025 District Crop Data