Water is one of the most valuable and heavily regulated resources in the western United States. Whether supporting energy development, infrastructure projects, agriculture, municipal growth or industrial operations, access to reliable water resources is often critical to project success. Water rights, permitting requirements, environmental regulations and competing stakeholder interests can create significant legal and operational challenges.
Beatty & Wozniak helps clients secure, develop, protect and maximize the value of their water assets. Our attorneys advise on water rights acquisition, water supply planning, permitting, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution, helping clients navigate the complex legal frameworks that govern water use across the Rocky Mountain West.
With deep experience in both water law and the industries that depend upon it, we provide practical, business-focused solutions that help clients protect investments, reduce risk and advance projects with confidence.
We help clients turn water challenges into strategic opportunities while protecting the resources that drive their businesses forward.
Water Rights Acquisition, Development & Protection
Water rights are valuable property interests that require careful planning, management and protection. We help clients establish, expand, transfer and defend water rights while ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Our experience includes:
Acquisition and disposition of water rights
Changes of use, point of diversion, and place of use
Surface water and groundwater rights
Well permitting and development
Water rights due diligence and ownership analysis
Easements, access agreements and related transactions
Water rights disputes and enforcement matters
Water Supply Planning & Augmentation
Reliable water supply is essential for long-term development and operational success. We assist clients in developing strategies that support future growth while protecting existing rights and meeting regulatory requirements.
We advise on:
Augmentation plans
Substitute Water Supply Plans (SWSPs)
Long-term water supply planning
Municipal and special district water needs
Industrial and commercial water supply development
Water resource management strategies
Water Court & Administrative Proceedings
Colorado’s water court system presents unique legal and procedural challenges. Our attorneys represent clients in contested and uncontested proceedings involving water rights throughout the lifecycle of a project.
We represent clients in:
Water rights adjudications
Applications for new water rights
Change-of-use proceedings
Augmentation plan proceedings
Oppositions and objections
Administrative hearings and appeals
Regulatory agency proceedings
Regulatory, Environmental & Water Quality Compliance
Water use and development are governed by an increasingly complex network of state and federal regulations. We work closely with clients, regulators, engineers and consultants to help projects remain compliant while maintaining operational momentum.
Our services include:
Water quality compliance
Environmental review and mitigation strategies
Agency enforcement actions
Regulatory investigations
Stakeholder and agency engagement
Water, Energy & Infrastructure
Unlike many water law practices, Beatty & Wozniak operates at the intersection of water, energy, infrastructure and natural resources. We understand the critical role water plays in project development and ongoing operations across multiple industries.
We advise clients on:
Produced water management and reuse
Energy-related water supply issues
Water infrastructure projects
Reservoirs, pipelines and delivery systems
Inter-basin transfers
Large-scale infrastructure and development projects
Our integrated understanding of water law, energy regulation, land use and project development allows us to provide strategic counsel that aligns legal solutions with business objectives.
Industries We Serve
We represent a broad range of water users throughout the Rocky Mountain West, including:
Energy and natural resource companies
Oil and gas operators
Renewable and geothermal energy developers
Agricultural and irrigation operations
Municipalities and special districts
Commercial and residential developers
Industrial facilities
Infrastructure and transportation projects
Your Water Law Partner
Successfully navigating water law requires a practical understanding of how water rights affect business operations, project development, investment decisions and long-term growth.
Beatty & Wozniak combines deep water law knowledge with extensive experience in energy, natural resources, land use, environmental compliance and infrastructure development. From securing water rights and obtaining regulatory approvals to resolving disputes and planning for future resource needs, we help clients protect their water assets and achieve their strategic objectives.
Whether your goal is to develop a new resource, expand existing operations, resolve a dispute, or secure long-term water supply, we provide the strategic guidance needed to move forward with confidence.