PAUL L. NOTO

Publications/Presentations :

Water Law in Real Estate Transactions, Denver Real Estate Bar Association, November 2, 2023

What Every Broker Should Know About Water Law, Land Title Guarantee Company Colorado, October 27, 2023

Water Law Basics for Real Estate Brokers, Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty, October 25, 2023

Water Law Basics for Realtors, Land Title Guarantee Company Colorado, October 26, 2021

Water Law Basics for Non-Water Attorneys, Aspen Board of Realtors, April 16, 2019

Water Law Basics for Non-Water Attorneys, Pitkin County Bar Association, May, 2018.

Water Law Basics for Real Estate Practitioners, 44 Colo. Law. 11, p. 63 (November 2015).

Climate Change and Water in Colorado, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 69 (January 2017).

Colorado Supreme Court Issues Ruling Regarding Transmountain Diversions and Historical Use Analysis in Water Right Change Applications, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 116 (February 2017).

Colorado Water Referee Issues Order Finding Water Used to Grow Marijuana a ‘Beneficial Use’, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 197 (May 2017).

Colorado Legislature Limits Applicability of Recent State Supreme Court Decision Confirming New Categorical Exclusions from Definition of Beneficial Use, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 228 (June 2017).

Colorado Legislature Confirms Farmers May Cultivate Hemp with Water Decreed For Agricultural Use, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 263 (July 2017).

Climate Change and Water in Colorado, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 69 (January 2017).

Colorado Legislature Limits Applicability of Recent State Supreme Court Decision Confirming New Categorical Exclusions from Definition of Beneficial Use, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 228 (June 2017).

Colorado Issues Its First-Ever Statewide Water Plan, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 67 (January 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Stormwater Runoff Was Correctly Classified As ‘Designated Groundwater’ Subject to Jurisdiction of the Groundwater Commission, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 124 (February 2016).

U.S. Forest Service Issues New Directive Regarding Ski Area Water Rights on Public Land, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 145 (March 2016).

U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Ninth Circuit Decision Allowing the National Park Service To Ban Hovercrafts On Alaskan River, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 174 (April 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Inaccurate Historical Consumptive Use Analysis Fatal to Application for Water Right Change Of Use, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 211 (May 2016).

In the West Where Life is Written in Water—Another Water Heavy Year at the Colorado Legislature, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 230 (June 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Owners of Various Conditional Water Rights May Select Which Right It Desires to Make Absolute, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 275 (July 2016).

Gross Reservoir Expansion Project in Colorado Inches Closer to Becoming a Reality Following State Agency and Governor’s Support, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 291 (August/September 2016).

Multi-State Water Settlement: Republican River Compact Administration Approves Two Resolutions Regarding Compliance with the Compact, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 7 (November 2016).

Colorado City Faces Federal Lawsuit from the U.S. EPA and a State Agency Regarding Alleged Failure of Its Stormwater Program and Water Quality Violations, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 41 (December 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Stormwater Runoff Was Correctly Classified As ‘Designated Groundwater’ Subject to Jurisdiction of the Groundwater Commission, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 124 (February 2016).

U.S. Forest Service Issues New Directive Regarding Ski Area Water Rights on Public Land, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 145 (March 2016).

U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Ninth Circuit Decision Allowing the National Park Service To Ban Hovercrafts On Alaskan River, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 174 (April 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Inaccurate Historical Consumptive Use Analysis Fatal to Application for Water Right Change Of Use, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 211 (May 2016).

In the West Where Life Is Written in Water—Another Water Heavy Year at the Colorado Legislature, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 230 (June 2016).

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Owners of Various Conditional Water Rights May Select Which Right It Desires to Make Absolute, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 275 (July 2016).

Gross Reservoir Expansion Project in Colorado Inches Closer to Becoming a Reality Following State Agency and Governor’s Support, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 291 (August/September 2016).

Multi-State Water Settlement: Republican River Compact Administration Approves Two Resolutions Regarding Compliance with the Compact, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 7 (November 2016).

Colorado City Faces Federal Lawsuit from the U.S. EPA and a State Agency Regarding Alleged Failure of Its Stormwater Program and Water Quality Violations, 21 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 41 (December 2016).

Montana V. Wyoming Update—Special Master Finds Wyoming Liable For Yellowstone River Compact Violations, But For Only Two Years, 19 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 138 (March 2015).

Colorado Supreme Court Declines to Adopt Bright-Line Rule Regarding the Re-Quantification of Previously Adjudicated Historic Consumptive Use Amounts in Later Change Cases, 19 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 178 (April 2015).

Colorado Supreme Court Addresses the Multiple Beneficial Use Doctrine—Affirms Junior Conditional Water Right for Hydropower Facility Using Water Already Diverted and Bound for Downstream Irrigation Use, 19 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 304 (August/September 2015).

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Prior Appropriation Water Stipulation’s Language Does Not Prohibit a Claim for Return Flow Credit for Aquifer Recharge, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 28 (November 2015).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds Annual Replacement Plan Complies With Previously Approved Plan of Water Management and Sufficiently Protects Senior Surface Water Rights, 20 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 35 (December 2015).

Colorado Supreme Court Finds State Engineer Properly Exercised Authority to Administer Nontributary Groundwater On An Indian Reservation, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 155 (March 2014).

Moffat Project Agreement a Major Victory for Collaborative River Management and Denver Area Water Supply, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 170 (April 2014).

The Rapanos Decision Revisited—EPA and the Corps of Engineers’ Proposed Rule Will Attempt to Clarify ‘Waters of the United States’, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 191 (May 2014).

Colorado Legislature Passes Cotter Mill Groundwater Cleanup Bill, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 226 (June 2014).

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s New Policy Prohibits the Use of Federal Project Water for Marijuana Cultivation, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 251 (July 2014).

Busy Under the Golden Dome: Colorado Legislature Debates Multiple Water Bills in the 2014 Session, 18 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 230 (October 2014).

Colorado Water Conservation Board Solicits Feedback in Anticipation of Presenting to the Governor the First Full Draft of State’s Water Plan, 19 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 14 (November 2014).

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Western Water Providers Unveil New Program to Address Declining Reservoir Levels on the Colorado River, 19 Western Water L. & P’lcy Rptr., 14 (December 2014).

“Water Due Diligence: What real estate attorneys should understand about water rights due diligence when their clients are purchasing property with water rights,” 32^nd Annual Colorado Real Estate Symposium in Vail, CO (July 2014).

“What Every Real Estate Lawyer and Realtor Should Know About Water Law,” Pitkin County Bar Association (February 2014).

Water Law in Real Estate Transactions, Colorado Bar Association (November 2014).

“Oklahoma Water Resources Board Establishes Maximum Annual Water Yield for the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer,” 18 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 49 (December 2013).

“When Floodwaters Recede – The Intersection of Colorado Water Rights Law, Infrastructure and a 1,000 Year Rain Event,” 18 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 3 (November 2013).

“Colorado Supreme Court Rules That Denver May Use Properly Quantified Transmountain Lawn Irrigation Return Flows in a Senior Exchange on the South Platte River,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 311 (August/September 2013).

“Responding to Drought: The Colorado State Legislature Enacts Multiple Water-Related Bills in the 2013 Session,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 262 (July 2013).

“Oklahoma Supreme Court Requires Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications Between Agency, General Counsel and the USGS in Water Rights Determination,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 250 (June 2013).

“Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Mandates Statewide Groundwater Sampling and Monitoring Near Drilling Sites,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 170 (April 2013).

“U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Two Interstate Water Compact Disputes: A Preview of What’s To Come,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 159 (April 2013).

“U.S. District Court Vacates the U.S. Forest Service’s 2012 Interim Directive and Upholds Ski Area Controlled Water Rights…For Now,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 112 (February 2013).

“Colorado’s Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument to Determine if State Water Conservancy Board had Authority to File Applications for Diligence Under Water Conservancy Act,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 79 (January 2013).

“Colorado Legislative Council’s Water Resources Review Committee Releases Six Water-Related Bills for Legislature’s Consideration,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 36 (December 2012).

“University of Colorado Study Finds that Pure Strain of Greenback Cutthroat Trout Exists in Only One Four-Mile Stretch of Colorado Stream,” 17 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 8 (November 2012).

“Colorado State Court Reverses Board of Commissioners’ Decision Allowing Developer to Prove Adequate Water Supply After Planned-Development Approval,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 338 (October 2012).

“Texas Water Supply Agency Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Strike Down Oklahoma Laws Restricting Out-of-State Water Exports – Supreme Court Asks Solicitor General’s Office to Comment,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 305 (September 2012).

“Colorado River Cooperative Agreement Seeks to Resolve Colorado Water Conflicts and Implement a Framework for Future Water Projects,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 255 (July/August 2012).

“Colorado Public Trust Doctrine State Ballot Initiatives Are One Step Closer to Appearing on November Ballot with State Supreme Court Ruling,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., (June 2012).

“Colorado Permits the First Uranium Mine in United States in 30 Years on Site Between Two Rivers; Conservation Group Sues to Revoke Permit,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., (May 2012).

“FERC Rejects Colorado Businessman’s Pipeline Plan to Pump Water from Wyoming’s Green River to Colorado’s Front Range,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 173 (April 2012).

“Ski Areas Sue in Colorado Federal District Court to Stop Forest Service from Taking Ski Area-Controlled Water Rights,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr.,  (March 2012).

“Colorado Issues Mandatory Chemical Disclosure Rules for Hydraulic Fracking,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., (February 2012).

“Update of Water-Related Legislative Developments in Colorado,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 77 (January 2012).

“Colorado District Court Orders Mining Company to Clean Up Uranium Contamination at Mine that Could Impact Drinking Water,” 16 Western Water L. &P’lcyRptr., (December 2011).

“Colorado Supreme Court Sets Standard For Making Absolute Conditional Water Rights For Reservoir Storage,” 16 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 27 (November 2011).

“Colorado Water Conservation Board Unanimously Approves Seeking Appropriation of Minimum Instream Flows for the Colorado River,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 325 (October 2011).

“Curtailment of Tributary Groundwater Appropriations Made Prior to 1969 Water Rights Determination Act Held Not a Compensable Taking by Colorado’s High Court,” 15 Western Water L. &P’lcyRptr., 272 (July 2011).

“Colorado Supreme Court Reaffirms Water Right Determination Act’s ‘Resume Notice’ Procedure,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 241 (June 2011).

“Colorado’s Interbasin Compact Committee Submits to Governor Framework for Meeting Statewide Water Demands,” 15 Western Water L. &P’lcyRptr., 198 (May 2011).

“Colorado Supreme Court Examines Stipulated Water Court Decree- Holds Water District Abandoned Water Rights for Failure to Timely File to Perfect Rights,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 182 (April 2011).

“In Defense of Irrigated Agriculture: The New Face of Agricultural to Municipal Water Transfers in Colorado- The Arkansas River Example,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 95 (February 2011).

“Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Proposed Change of Water Rights- Declines to Address Inconsistent Water Court Rulings on Accretions to Net-Losing Ditch,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 60, (December 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Clarifies That ‘No-Call’ Agreements Do Not Constitute Unlawful Changes of Water Rights,” 15 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr., 24 (November 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Key Piece of The City of Aurora’s Prairie Water Project,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 307, (August/September 2010).

“Colorado Cities and Ranchers Challenge State Engineer’s Rules Exempting Mineral Rich Regions From Water Well Permitting,” 14 Western Water L. &P’lcyRptr. 268 (July 2010).

“Colorado Court of Appeals Rules That Governmental Entities Are Not Immune From Ditch Easement Claims,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 244 (June 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Leaves Unchanged the Court of Appeals Finding That Ground Water Management District Rules May Reduce Well User’s Rights to Use Below Amount Authorized by Permit,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 209 (May 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Requires Augmentation Plan Applicant to Replace Pre-Application Depletions,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 182 (April 2010).

“Colorado Water Courts Take a Closer Look at Storage Water Rights: Two Pending State Supreme Court Appeals May Result in Additional Limits on Storage Water Rights,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 131 (March 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Examines Whether Prevailing Party Costs Are Available to Parties Supporting State Engineer’s Groundwater Rules in Court,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 122 (February 2010).

“Colorado Supreme Court Holds Claimed Conditional Appropriations By Governmental Water Suppliers Lacked Sufficient Evidence,” 14 Western Water L. & P’lcyRptr. 91 (January 2010).

“District Court in Colorado Finds 1891 Act Right of Way For Reservoir Does Not Vest upon Construction,” 14 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 54 (December 2009).

“Colorado City, Water District, and U.S. Agree to Stay of Litigation to Pursue Federal Legislation to Legitimize Its Use of Arkansas River Water,” 14 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 21 (November 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Further Clarifies the ‘Can and Will’ Test for Conditional Water Rights,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 342 (October 2009).

“Colorado Legislature Passes Two New Laws That Allow for Rainfall Harvesting,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 298 (August/September 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Reiterates the Importance of Compliance with State Rules of Civil Procedure in Water Rights Cases,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 280 (July 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Rules that Coalbed Methane Wells Must Have Water Well Permits,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 247 (June 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Confirms State and Division Engineers‘ Authority to Administer Storage Water Rights Based on a Fixed Water Year,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 216 (May 2009).

“Climate Change and Water in Colorado,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 164 (April 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Imposes New Qualification Requirement for the Adverse Possession of Water Rights,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 151 (March 2009)

“Colorado Water Court Finalizes Reserved Water Right Decree for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 95 (February 2009).

“Colorado Supreme Court Ends 15 Year Case on Proposed Subdivision Water Supply-Augmentation Plan Insufficient for Groundwater Rights,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 89 (January 2009).

“Colorado State Engineer Considers Revisions to Rules Governing Increased Irrigation Efficiency of Surface Water Irrigation in the Arkansas River Basin,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 38 (December 2008).

“Colorado Supreme Court Committee Proposes Substantial Changes to Water Court Rules,” 13 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 8 (November 2008).

“Colorado Water Conservation Board Considers Amendments to Its Rules ForInstream Flow and Natural Lake Level Program,” 12 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 296 (August/September 2008).

“Colorado Governor Enacts Legislation to Protect and Preserve Colorado’s Water Resources,” 12 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 261 (July 2008).

“Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Aquifer Sustainability Rules Promulgated by State Engineer- Rules Did Not Impermissibly Restrict Right to Appropriate Water,” 12 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 241 (June 2008).

“Tenth Circuit of Appeals to Consider Legality of Oklahoma Laws Preventing Appropriation or Sale of Water to Out-of-State Parties” 12 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 191 (May 2008).

“Colorado Supreme Court Convenes Water Court Committee to Water Court Process,” 12 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 169 (April 2008).

“Colorado Water for the 21st Century Act’ Receiving Mixed Reviews,” 11 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 213 (June 2007).

“Colorado Supreme Court Limits Water District’s Change Application, Using Consumptive Use Analysis, To Acreage Irrigated At Time of Original Appropriation,” 11 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 81 (January 2007).

“Colorado Supreme Court Revisits the Distinction Between Contractual Water Delivery Rights and Adjudicated Water Rights,” 10 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 205 (May 2006).

“Colorado Supreme Court Requires Protection for Instream Flow Water Rights in Plans for Augmentation,” 10 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 80 (January 2006).

“Water Diversions, Water Rights Selective Subordination Issue in Water Court Litigation Move, On Appeal, to The Colorado Supreme Court,” 9 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 357 (October 2005).

“Colorado Supreme Court Distinguishes Contractual Water Delivery Rights From True Water Rights,” 9 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 260 (July 2005).

“Colorado Supreme Court Revisits the Standards For Approval of Augmentation Plans and Clarifies When Attorneys Fees and Costs Are Available,” 9 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 172 (April 2005).

“Ditch and Water Structure Authorizations Across Federal Lands: New Case Law Supporting Bypass Flow Requirements,” 9 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 27 (December 2004).

“Colorado Supreme Court Clarifies the ‘Can and Will’ Test for Conditional Water Rights,” 9 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 22 (November 2004).

“Motion for Summary Judgment Pending Against Colorado State Engineer Seeking Determination of ‘Senior First Rule’ and ‘Selective Subordination Principles of Water Rights,” 8 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 341 (October 2004).

“Tenth Circuit Hears Oral Argument on Private Right of Action to Enforce Interstate Water Compacts,” 8 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 197 (May 2004).

“Colorado Water Court, Water Division 4 Awards Controversial Recreational In-Channel Diversion, For Whitewater Park on Gunnison River,” 8 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 108 (February 2004).

“Colorado Supreme Court Expands on Legal Requirements for Water Rights Abandonment,” 8 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 54 (December 2003).

“Colorado Voters Presented With Divisive Ballot Initiative Concerning Water Storage Projects,” 7 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 343 (October 2003).

“Colorado: Meeting Water Needs in The Face of Diminished Supply- The Role of Water Conservation and Reuse,” 7 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 120 (March 2003).

“Colorado Supreme Court Affirms Denial of Conditional Water Right Where Applicant Lacked Permission to Use Federal Land to Appropriate the Water,” 7 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 77 (January 2003).

“Colorado Supreme Court Clarifies that for Groundwater Used Conjunctively, Historic Use of the Groundwater Right is Necessary for Change to that Right,” 6 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 346 (October 2002).

“Colorado Supreme Court Looks to Water Amount Diverted and Acreage to Determine if Water Right Change Has Impermissible Enlarged,” 6 Western Water L. & Policy Rptr. 265 (July 2002).