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Show 162 COLORADO regulates the use of designated ground water under special statutory rules within certain geographic areas defined by it on the basis of statutory criteria as designated ground water basins.70 d. Ground Water Management Districts Districts may be formed in designated ground water basins with the approval of the ground water commission upon the petition of at least 15 percent of the taxpaying electors within the proposed district71 and after an election within the district. Elected directors of the districts are empowered in cooperation with the ground water commission to regulate the use, control, and conservation of the ground water of the district by a number of methods, including well-spacing, pumping limitations, ground water recharge, planning, research, and regulation of use.72 Districts have taxing powers and powers to make special assessments.73 e. Irrigation Districts State law authorizes the formation of irrigation districts as public corporations having powers to exercise eminent domain, make special tax assessments on lands suitable for irrigation and cultivation, and issue bonds to finance construction and maintenance of irrigation systems.74 They are formed after a petition of landowners within the district75 and after an election of a board of directors.76 The board conducts the affairs of the district which may include coopera- tion with the Federal Government in the construction of irrigation and drainage works.77 Powers of the district and the board are spe- cified by statute.78 f. Conservancy Districts Authorized to be formed under the Water Conservancy Act,79 water conservancy districts have broader taxing authority extending not just to lands suitable for irrigation and cultivation, but to all land within the district80 and they usually cover a larger geo- graphic area than irrigation districts. They are organized to under- take larger, more extensive, and costlier projects. Ordinarily, they are formed for the purpose of contracting with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for delivery of water from reclamation projects to water users within the districts. g. Carrier and Mutual Water and Ditch Companies Carrier ditch companies are for-profit private water distributors. They are public utilities whose rates are regulated by county com- 70 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 148-18-5 (supp. 1971) ; see note 6, p. 25, and accom- panying text. n Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sees. 148-18-17, -19 (supp. 1967). « Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 148-18-29 (supp. 1965). 73 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 148-18-31 (supp. 1967). "Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sees. 150-1-1, et seq. (1963), 150-2-1, et seq. (1963). 73 Colo. Rev. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 150-2-1 (1963). 76 Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 150-2-8 (1963). "Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 150-2-10(2) (a) (1963). 78Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sees. 150-2-10, 150-2-10-13 (1963). 78Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sees. 150-5-1 et seq. (1963). so Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann., sec. 150-5-16 (1963). |
