Due to issues with water users adjusting their own headgates, we want to remind users to call ditch riders with any headgate or water issues.

Colorado Statutes for Water & Irrigation

 (Title 37)

Colorado law strictly regulates water delivery infrastructure. Any unauthorized adjustment or interference with headgate, measuring devices, or canal structures is a crime under state statutes.

Under state statute 37-84-116, all headgates, measuring weirs, flumes, and delivery devices are under control and supervision of the state engineer, division engineer, water commissioners, or designated ditch officers. Individual water users only have the legal right to observe or read the measuring gauges, not to physically adjust or operate structures without authorization.