Water Court Committee

The Water Court Committee is charged with reviewing the water court process; identifying possible ways through rule and/or statutory change to achieve efficiencies in water court cases while still protecting quality outcomes; and ensure the highest level of competence in water court participants. Under the Chief Justice’s order, the committee cannot alter or impair existing water use rights of any public agency or private person. The Committee is currently chaired by Justice Monica Márquez of the Colorado Supreme Court.

On Dec. 4, 2007, Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey signed an order authorizing the establishment of the Water Court Committee of the Colorado Supreme Court. In keeping with that order, the Chief Justice appointed 21 members to the committee on Dec. 11, 2007, to serve through Aug. 1, 2008. In compliance with the Chief Justice's order, the committee provided its recommendations to the Chief Justice on Aug. 1, 2008. The Chief Justice then made the report available to the Colorado General Assembly and Governor Bill Ritter. Per the committee's recommendation, she also made the committee a permanent standing committee of the Colorado Supreme Court.