Summary

Water Issues

Meter Reading Help

Background and Overview of
February 21, 2008 Correspondence from
Office of the State Engineer to
King's Deer Homeowners Assocation

Background
Every year King's Deer Homeowners Association sends to the Office of the State Engineer, meter readings and annual consumption calculations for all wells in King's Deer. This is a requirement imposed upon the Association by the Colorado Water Court as a condition for King's Deer well owners to be able to use their well.

Every property in King's Deer is authorized to have and use one well, provided the owner complies with conditions set forth by the Colorado Water Court in a court decree issued when the development was created. There are two decrees that govern properties in King's Deer, and each property is subject to one of those two decrees. The two decrees are similar in most details. Their most significant difference is that one decree, which we refer to as the "93 Decree" allows property owners to draw a maximum of 0.38 acre-feet of water (123,824 gallons) in a year. The other decree, which we refer to as the "94 Decree" allows property owners to draw a maximum of 0.419 acre-feet of water (136,532 gallons) in a year.

Which Decree Applies to My Property?
Properties in the King's Deer Highlands subdivision (all filings), and properties in King's Deer subdivision filing 6, are subject to the 94 Decree. Properties in King's Deer subdivision filings 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are subject to the 93 Decree. And properties in King's Deer subdivision filing 5 are subject to the 93 Decree, except for lots 8, 9 and 10 in filling 5 which are subject to the 94 Decree. (We don't make these rules!)

February 2008
In late February 2008 the Association received two letters from the Water Commissioner of Water Division One, Office of the State Engineer. Both letters were addressed to the King's Deer Board president. Each letter was similar in content; one letter was focused on properties subject to the terms of the 93 Decree (Click here to download a copy of the letter.), and the other letter focused on properties subject to the terms of the 94 Decree. (Click here to download a copy of the letter.)

Both letters expressed concerns over the excessive water use by various King's Deer residents. Attached to the letter was a list identifying each King's Deer property that had exceeded their annual water consumption for the twelve month period ending October 2007 (aka "Water Year 2007") and the amount of excess consumption. The letters also noted the few properties where water meters are not accurately recording the water quantity drawn from the well. The letters outlined the potential consequences for "out-of-compliance pumping." In conclusion the Water Commissioner sought the voluntary compliance of residents with the obligations of the Court Decrees.

To relay the concerns of the Water Commissioner to the King's Deer members who had excess consumption or inaccurate water meters, the Board drafted a transmittal letter and sent it with the Water Commissioner's letter enclosed (minus the list of non-compliant properties), to each King's Deer owner whose property was included in the Water Commissioner's letter as exceeding their water authorization. (Click here to download a generic version of this cover letter.) Also, a second letter was prepared and sent to owners of properties whose meter was not accurately recording consumption. (Click here to download a generic version of this cover letter.)

Help!
The Board greatly appreciates those who responded positively to these letters with an interest in achieving compliance. The goal is to help our members comply with our obligation to live within our water authorization. We all have water restrictions, so the more we can share ideas, the easier it is to achieve compliance.

If you would like assistance in evaluating your water consumption situation, please contact Pat at our office to schedule an appointment. (488-2840 or email admin@kingsdeer.org) You don't need a history of excess consumption to request assistance! Volunteers are available to work with owners who want assistance figuring out where and how their consumption could be reduced with the least "pain." The historical meter readings for an owner's property are available to compare current with past consumption; just ask for the information.