From 1968 till 1970, Units 1 thru 34 of the Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision were platted, staked and subsequently accepted by Costilla County, Colorado.  On May 8, 1972 the Colorado Ground Water Management Act was enacted to protect the supply of Colorado's underground water reserves.  In 1973 and 1974 the Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision was enlarged with the addition of Units 35 thru 48.  At this time the District Court in and for Water Division 3 mandated that Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado prepare and implement a Water Augmentation Plan (Case No. W-3169) which would incorporate the entire Subdivision - Units 1 thru 48.  Lots in Units 1 - 34 which had been exempt from the Ground Water Management Act were to be accounted for and included in the Augmentation Plan.  In order to accomplish this mandate, Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado purchased thousands of acres of ranch and pasture land, shuttering the wells and retiring the water rights to use them to fulfill the requirements of Augmentation Plan Case W-3169. 

     On November 13, 1974 the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decree were Filed in District Court Water Division No, 3 State of Colorado.  Unit 49 was added in 1979 and was subsequently added to the Augmentation Plan on November 30, 1980 by a Order Modifying Decree.  Over the past 44+ years Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado has maintained the Augmentation Plan, paying all the fees to insure the availability of water in the Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision and now it is the time to transfer the Plan of Augmentation and accompanying water rights to the land owners of Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision.

    The one time purchase fee, will guarantee the water rights for your lot will never be sold, thus insuring the availability of water for your land for as long as you live.  We urge you to download and read the Augmentation Plan, see The Plan above.  The FAQ section above should also answer many of your questions.

     Should you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact me at 866-268-3581.

Sincerely,

Jon Marcoux, President

Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado